Safeguarding
St Michael's Church is committed to offering an environment where everyone is able to flourish and grow in safety and without fear.
This means an obligation, at all levels of the Church, to ensure that good procedures and practices are in
place. This requires training and awareness raising among everyone, so that
there is vigilance and understanding in recognising and appropriately
responding to risks and signs of potential abuse.
In particular, there is a duty towards those who are most vulnerable to abuse, whether as a result of age (young or elderly), disability, illness or any other factor which might heighten risk.
Safeguarding Policy
Promoting a Safer Church
Parish of St Mary and St Michael, Sittingbourne
The following policy was agreed at the
Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 3 July 2024
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
· Promoting a safer environment and culture.
· Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
· Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
· Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
· Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
· Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
· Create a safe and caring place for all.
· Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
· Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
· Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
· Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
· Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
· Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
· Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
· Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
· Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
· Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each
person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this
policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church
appoints Tracy Williams as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
click here to email
Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Paul Brightwell (07398 009951)
Any child
wishing to talk about a problem can contact Childline on 0800 1111
Any parent
or carer wishing to talk about parenting problems can contact Family Lives on
0808 800 2222
The Parish
Safeguarding Officer is available to speak with adults or children.
