Safeguarding Policy

Amesbury Parish Church

The Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor

Promoting a Safer Church

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 14.10.20

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Parish of St Mary and St Melor takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

This Safeguarding Statement applies to all who make up the church ‘workforce’ which includes all clergy, holders of Bishop’s licence or permission, those commissioned or authorised by the Bishop, those, paid or unpaid, who hold positions of responsibility in a parish and work with children or vulnerable adults, and those with representational parish ministry, for example: churchwarden, organist, verger, server & choir members.

For the purposes of this document the term ‘Parish’ is used to denote the PCC and Incumbent who are together responsible for ensuring that diocesan safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented.

For the purposes of this document a child is anyone under the age of eighteen years.

Policy

1. The PCC of St Mary and St Melor has adopted the national Church of England Safeguarding Policy, Promoting a Safer Church, June 2017.

A copy of the full relevant policy is obtainable on the Diocese of Salisbury's website, www.salisbury.anglican.org/safeguarding, a summary of which is on display in both the church and Wyndham Hall, and a hard copy is held in the parish office, Wyndham Hall and in the clergy vestry at the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor.

2. The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Ms Ruth Davies, who has been appointed by the PCC to serve in this role.

Statement of Commitment

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

Promoting a safer and caring 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:

Formally adopt the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, Promoting a Safer Church.
Review the implementation of the above Safeguarding Policy annually
Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement safeguarding policy and procedures.
Invite our Parish Safeguarding Officer to report regularly to the PCC and to attend at least one PCC meeting each year in person.
Ensure that all those authorised to work with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately recruited according to safer recruitment practice and are adequately supported.
Ensure that all those authorised to work with children and vulnerable adults are trained appropriately for their roles, including Diocesan Safeguarding Training.
Provide appropriate insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the church, which involve children or vulnerable adults.
Ensure that any Activity Plans and Risk Assessments are completed and reviewed (at least once a year) for each activity, which is associated with either children or vulnerable adults and run in the name of the church.
Comply with Data Protection Principles – specifically with reference to storing information about the ‘church workforce’, including volunteers, who have completed a confidential declaration and/or undergone DBS checks and for Safeguarding Agreements of offenders and others who may pose a risk.
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 annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

Signed: Incumbent

Churchwarden(s)

Details of relevant contact persons are below:

Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)

Ms Ruth Davies
07908860220
ms.ergo@mac.com

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Contact Details:
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

01722 411922, 07469 857888

safeguarding.admin@salisbury.anglican.org

Incumbent

Fr Darren A’Court (01980) 259054

fr.darrenacourt@gmail.com