{"id":817,"date":"2025-01-03T10:43:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T10:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/overtonbenefice.org.uk\/st-marys\/?page_id=817"},"modified":"2025-09-04T09:23:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T08:23:23","slug":"safeguarding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/overtonbenefice.org.uk\/st-marys\/safeguarding\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What do we mean by safeguarding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By ‘safeguarding’ we mean the action we take to create a safe culture within our church 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is responsible for safeguarding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the incumbent have overall responsibilty; 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.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How do we handle safeguarding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

St Mary’s has its own Safeguarding Policy Statement<\/a><\/strong> which draws on the key principles set out in the House of Bishops’ guidance. The policy affirms our church’s commitment to safely recruiting both paid staff and volunteers and its commitment to ensuring that our church and related premises are safe places for all who use them, including children and vulnerable adults. This policy statement is reviewed annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safeguarding is a regular item on every PCC agenda throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What should you do if you have a safeguarding concern?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>. If neither is available, the concern should be reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO)<\/strong> within 24 hours. Make a written record of the concern as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contacts for Safeguarding Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is<\/strong>:
Julia Hodgson
Tel: 07983 362 979
Email: safeguarding@stmarysoverton.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is:<\/strong>
Jackie Rowlands
Tel: 01962 737317
Email: jackie.rowlands@winchester.anglican.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n