Safeguarding at St Christopher’s Church

St Christopher’s is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and enabling them to worship and grow safely in Christ. Our vision is to create a safe environment for everyone to take part in our gatherings, events and activities and to follow the correct procedures to ensure everyone is protected to the best of our ability.

If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact:

Heather Beasley - Parish Safeguarding Officer (safeguarding@stchristopher.org.uk or 075 993 99427).
Rev Andy March – Vicar (vicar@stchristopher.org.uk or 024 7667 2879)

If you would prefer to speak with someone outside the church, please contact:

Diocesan Safeguarding Team: 024 7652 1345 (24 hours a day).

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
Police Non-emergency Service 101
Childline 0800 1111

For more information about safeguarding:

Please contact either of the above people, or visit www.coventry.anglican.org/safeguarding

St Christopher’s Church

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT SUMMARY

“Promoting a Safer Church”

(please click here for the full “Promoting a Safer Church” policy)

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 19 March 2019

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 Heather Beasley as the Parish Safeguarding Officer 

Incumbent .....A March..............................................................

Churchwardens .........PJ Blunt and T Borras............................................................................................

Date:    19 March 2019