POLICY STATEMENT

 

St Philip’s is committed to safeguarding.  The PCC has adopted and endorses The Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy Statement for Children, Young People and Adults – ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.

 

Safeguarding is about protecting and championing those who are vulnerable, whether they are children, young people or vulnerable adults, to allow them to live free from abuse, harm and neglect.  This Safeguarding Policy is aimed at ensuring that St Philip's is an environment where every person is able to worship and grow in Christ safely.  Abuse and maltreatment in any form is entirely against Scripture and the Church’s teachings.

 

In respecting the dignity and value of every person we are committed to:

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• 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. 

 

We will seek to fulfil these through:

 

• 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 

 

​The Revd Paul Ferguson endorsed the Policy at his first PCC meeting following his licensing, on 23rd September 2019.

The latest updated Policy and Procedures were approved by PCC on 23 September 2024

This latest version was signed by the following:

   -  The Revd Paul Ferguson (vicar)

   -  Laura Squire (PSO)

   -  Jenny Barker (Safeguarding Team Consultant)

   -  Clive Hall (Safeguarding Team Consultant)

   -  Hannah Parrott (Safeguarding Team Consultant)

   -  Louise Malkin (Safeguarding Team Consultant)

   -  Jae Munro (Churchwarden)

   -  Paul Schaerer (Churchwarden)

 

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Ben Goodhind 01749 685135  ben.goodhind@bathwells.anglican.org  https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/safeguarding

 

• Local Authority Social Care Services: 01225 396312

• Immediate risk of danger: contact the Police on 101 or Bath Police Station: 01275 818340

• Police Emergency: 999

• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

• Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900

• Samaritans: 116 123

• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

• Action On Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141