St Wilfrid’s takes safeguarding very seriously. We actively promote and pursue Portsmouth Diocese’s Safer Recruitment Policy, whereby everyone who wishes to work for the church with children, young people or vulnerable adults who may be at risk of harm to first undergo a thorough recruitment process including a DBS (Disclosure and Barring System) check before they can take up their positions. They also have to provide us with satisfactory references and agree to undergo regular training.

Our policies are updated annually and can be seen displayed in the halls and also on the church notice board, and on this website:

Policy Statement for the Safeguarding of Children and Adults

Parish of St Wilfrid Cowplain

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 VAL STRUTT as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Click here for the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook

Click here for the Church of England’s Promoting A Safer Church

Safeguarding Officer

Val Strutt is our Safeguarding Officer and is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child,  young person or vulnerable adult.

Anyone with safeguarding concerns can contact Val at the parish office or email safeguarding@stwilfridscowplain.co.uk. Val checks her emails regularly even when not in the office and will get back straight away. The Vicar can also be contacted.

Val Strutt
Safeguarding Officer

07305301398

St Wilfrid’s Church
Padnell Road
Cowplain
Waterlooville
PO8 8DZ

02392 9226 2295

 

Diocese of Portsmouth Safeguarding Team

email: safeguarding@portsmouth.anglician.org

www.portsmouth.anglican.org/safeguarding

Out of hours contact 31:8 on 03030031111

Helplines

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.

Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 ((lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

Portsmouth Multi Agency Safeguarding for concerns about children: 0845 6710271 or 02392 688793

Portsmouth Multi Agency Safeguarding for concerns about adults: 0300 5551386 or out of hours 0300 5551373 or text number for hard of hearing out of hours 07565250102