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

Priest in Charge - Revd John Hardy - telephone 01638 660729 email jhardy153@btinternet.com

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

Procedure for dealing with safeguarding allegations or concerns.

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

Don’t panic!
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.
DON’T question the perpetrator (or the person alleged to be the perpetrator).
If you believe a child or adult is in immediate danger, call the police and/or social services immediately on 999.
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.
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.