The following policy was agreed by the Cogges Parochial Church Council (PCC) April 2022.

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 front page of 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 Team 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.

  • Inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if we use an alternative DBS Umbrella Body to APCS and if we receive any DBS Disclosures that are not clear.

  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

In addition, the Parish will:

  • Adhere to St Mary’s Cogges Data Protection (which includes Children’s Information) and Privacy Policies as found on the home page of the church’s website regarding safeguarding.

  • Follow the Church of England’s guidance on the retention of safeguarding records (Records Management Toolkit, 2015).

  • Be committed to online safety by training staff and volunteers in the application of the guidance from the Church of England’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook (2019) Sections 11-12, and making children, young people and vulnerable adults aware of potential dangers as appropriate in the course of the church’s work.

 Our Safeguarding Officer is: Mrs Judy Marshall

Revisions

  • 8th March 2016 - Original policy agreement

  • 28th March 2017 - annual review and approval added

  • 21st December 2020 - Safeguarding officer updated

  • April 2022 - Three (additional) points added at end