Safeguarding

What do we mean by safeguarding?

By ‘safeguarding’ we mean the action we take to create a safe culture within our churches by promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. It means working to prevent abuse from occurring, seeking to protect those who are at risk of being abused, and responding well to those who have been abused. It also means taking care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offering support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.

Who is responsible for safeguarding?

The Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) and the incumbent have overall responsibility; they have a duty of care to ensure the protection of the vulnerable within the church. To this end, they are committed to and fully compliant with the Church of England’s policies and practice guidance all of which is in the process of being updated. It will be added to the website as soon as it becomes available.   

Each church has a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) who is the key link between the diocese and the parish concerning safeguarding matters. The PSO is appointed by and supports the PCC in the delivery of the PCC’s safeguarding responsibilities.

Safeguarding training to an appropriate level is required of every person undertaking a voluntary or paid role, and where the role / job involves contact with children or vulnerable adults, DBS checks are carried out.

Safeguarding is a regular item on every PCC agenda throughout the year.

What should you do if you have a safeguarding concern?

If a child or adult is in immediate danger, call the police &/or social services on 999.
Any non-emergency concern should be reported immediately to the PSO &/or the Rector. If neither is available, the concern should be reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) within 24 hours. Make a written record of the concern as soon as possible.

Contacts for Safeguarding Concerns

The Parish Safeguarding Officers are:

• St Mary the Virgin, Laverstoke: Brenda Bond – safeguarding@stmaryslaverstoke.org.uk  
• St Michael’s, North Waltham: Steve Jefferson – nw-safeguarding@stmarysoverton.org.uk 
• St Nicholas’, Steventon: Barbara Stewart – safeguarding.steventon@gmail.com 
• St Andrew’s, Ashe & All Saints’, Deane: Mark De Groot –  safeguarding.ashe@gmail.com
• St Mary’s, Overton: Julia Hodgson – safeguarding@stmarysoverton.org.uk

The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is:
Jackie Rowlands
Tel: 01962 737317
Email: jackie.rowlands@winchester.anglican.org

• Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm
• Hampshire Children’s Services – 0300 555 1384
• Hampshire Adult Services – 0300 555 1386
• National helplines:
  o NSPCC – 0808 800 5000
  o Childline – 0800 1111
  o Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900
  o NAPAC – 0808 801 0331
  o Samaritans – 116 123
  o Family Lives – 0808 800 2222
  o National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
  o Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141
• Further Helplines

Information and Support for Victims and Survivors of Abuse

The Church of England’s Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse details how victims and survivors can report abuse within the Church and the processes that will be followed. 

Contact details for national services for victims and survivors:

Safe Spaces – a free, independent support service, for survivors of church related abuse. Open Mon-Fri 9am 9pm; Saturday 9am-1pm; Sunday 1pm-5pm. Telephone: 0300 303 1056 Email: safeSpaces@FirstLight.org.uk 

Samaritans

NSPCC

MACSAS (Helpline: 08088 01 0304)

Survivors Voices

Survivors’ Network (Helpline: 01273 720 110)