Welcome to the safeguarding page of the parish of Exning with Landwade

This parish has adopted the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement’. For details see document below

In case of issues or concerns please contact

Parish Safeguarding Officer - Christine Pearce telephone 07754 667663/01638 664314 email christine.m.pearce2020@gmail.com

Diocesan safeguarding Adviser - Karen Galloway 07785 621319

The Diocesan Safeguarding contacts can be found via the following link:

www.cofesuffolk.org/concerns-and-contacts 

 

THE PARISH OF EXNING WITH LANDWADE

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

 

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 17^th October 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 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 confirms the continuation of Mrs Christine Pearce as the Parish Safeguarding Officer

Incumbent  Vacant

Churchwardens John Pascall; Derek Bryant

Date:-17^th October 2022

Procedure for dealing with safeguarding allegations or concerns.

You suspect or witness abuse, or someone discloses information about a safeguarding concern or allegation:-

 

1. Don’t panic!
2. Record what you are told by the person reporting the abuse. Note exactly what you saw or the abuse discloser said. Do not question the discloser.
3. DON’T question the perpetrator (or the person alleged to be the perpetrator).
4. If you believe a child or adult is in immediate danger, call the police and/or social services immediately on 999.
5. Whether there is immediate danger or not, you must tell the priest -in-charge (John Hardy) and/or the parish safeguarding officer (PSO) (John Pascall) within 24 hours.
6. The priest-in-charge and/or PSO must record the information and discuss the problem with the Diocesan Safety Adviser within 24 hours

POLICY ON THE RECRUITMENT OF EX-OFFENDERS

 

As an organisation assessing applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Exning Parochial Church Council (as trustees) complies fully with the code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly

• Exning Parochial Church Council undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed
• Exning Parochial Church Council can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that [Organisation Name] are legally entitled to know about. Where a DBS certificate at either standard or enhanced level can legally be requested (where the position is one that is included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended, and where appropriate Police Act Regulations as amended)
• Exning Parochial Church Council can only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected
• Exning Parochial Church Council is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background
• Exning Parochial Church Council has a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available to all DBS applicants at the start of the recruitment process
• Exning Parochial Church Council actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records
• Exning Parochial Church Council select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience
• an application for a criminal record check is only submitted to DBS after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a criminal record check is identified as necessary, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that an application for a DBS certificate will be submitted in the event of the individual being offered the position
• Exning Parochial Church Council ensures that all those in [Organisation Name] who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences
• Exning Parochial Church Council also ensures that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, e.g. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• at interview, or in a separate discussion, Exning Parochial Church Council ensures that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment
• Exning Parochial Church Council makes every subject of a criminal record check submitted to DBS aware of the existence of the code of practice and makes a copy available on request
• Exning Parochial Church Council undertakes to discuss any matter revealed on a DBS certificate with the individual seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.