Safeguarding

The Parish of St. Christopher’s, Hinchley Wood is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within our church community, and also to encouraging an environment where all people and especially those who may be vulnerable are able to worship and pursue their faith journey with encouragement and in safety.

The PCC of St. Christopher’s has adopted the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy Statement together with the supporting safeguarding policies and practice guidance. The Policy Statement can be viewed online on the Church of England website.

If you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or adult at risk

The first person to speak to is Julia Bowden, our Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults’ Safeguarding Officer.  If for any reason Julia is not available, you can speak to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01483 790379 or email:  safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk

Further advice on reporting a safeguarding concern out of hours is available on the diocesan website

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999 in an emergency.

Julia Bowden is our Parish Safeguarding Office                                                                                                                                              

You can contact her on:   

Telephone: 07850 410705
or Email: safeguarding@stchristopherschurch.org.uk

For further information and contacts click here

 

 

Parish Safeguarding Policy Statements

Every year the PCC will agree the Parish Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Statements, displaying each copy in the Church and forwarding one copy of each to the Diocesan Safeguarding Office for their records.

Parish Safeguarding Officer and Representative

The PCC will appoint a minimum of one Safeguarding Officer/Representative who will be responsible on behalf of the incumbent and PCC for implementing the Diocesan policy in respect of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Parish Safeguarding Officer agrees to undertake the key responsibilities of the role as outlined in the Diocesan Safeguarding Guide.

Our Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults’ Safeguarding Officer is Julia Bowden

Paid Workers and/or Volunteers

All those who undertake work in a specific activity provided for children, young people and/or vulnerable adults (regulated activity) in the parish on a voluntary or paid basis will be required to:

  • Complete a Confidential Self Declaration Form
  • To complete the necessary vetting application (Disclosure and Barring Service DBS)

St. Christopher’s will seek to ensure that a DBS check is done for the following parish posts:

  • Youth Leader/Youth Work Staff/Volunteer Assistants working on a regular basis
  • Sunday School Leaders/Volunteer Assistants working on a regular basis
  • Staff/Volunteers working on a regular basis at children’s and young people’s activities
  • Crèche Staff and volunteers working on a regular basis
  • Safeguarding lead on the PCC
  • Pastoral staff
  • Volunteers who work on a regular basis with vulnerable adults.

DBS checks may be undertaken for other roles after a risk assessment, which evaluates the proportionate and relevant nature of the position (paid or voluntary), has taken place.  All Confidential Self Declaration Forms and references will be held securely by the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

When a DBS check is carried out, the disclosure certificate is sent to the diocesan office.  A copy is also sent to the applicant and an outcome letter is sent to the validator and the incumbent. On receipt of this letter, the applicant may commence in their role.

The registration details will be noted and the applicant will be able to undertake regulated activities with children, young people and vulnerable adults at St. Christopher’s. DBS checks must be renewed every five years. 

Any person refusing such checks, or to provide the Diocese with a copy of the Disclosure Outcome letter, will not be allowed to work with or have unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults in the Parish.

All those who work with children and/or vulnerable adults on a regular basis will be made aware of and should familiarise themselves with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, and will be encouraged to attend Diocesan Safeguarding training every three years.

Children’s Activities, Groups and Events

The following children’s, young person’s and mixed age activities have been identified as PCC endorsed events and activities that fall under the Diocesan Safeguarding Procedures:

  • Together@Ten
  • Messy Church
  • Children and Holy Communion Group
  • Children’s and young people’s events
  • Residential and weekend activities for young people

All children and young people wishing to attend the above activities where they are not accompanied by an adult, will be provided with a Registration Form, which must be completed and signed by their parents/carers before they take part.

Children who wish to take part in additional events such as church outings, holidays or sleepovers will not be allowed to participate in such activities unless the leaders of such event(s) receive a completed consent form from the parents or guardians of the child concerned, even if the parent or guardian accompanies the child on any such trip or activity. A new form must be completed for each separate activity.

Consideration will be given at all times for the health, safety and welfare of each child and young person, including supervision ratios, transport, first aid, premises and children with special needs.

Vulnerable Adult Activities, Groups and Events

The following have been identified as PCC endorsed groups, events and activities that fall under the Diocesan Safeguarding Procedures.

  • Pastoral Care Visiting
  • Gibson Court Service
  • Home Communion
  • House Groups
  • Hinchley Wood Fellowship
  • Tea & Hymns

Consideration will be given at all times of the health, safety and welfare of the vulnerable adult, including transport, first aid, premises and adults with special needs.

Resources that help and inform our understanding of unhealthy relationships:

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/healthy-and-unhealthy-relationships

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

https://www.rasasc.org/

https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/domestic-abuse

Hire of Church Premises

All those who are involved with activities for children or vulnerable adults, and use the church hall on a regular basis, shall be required to sign a copy of the parish booking agreement and a declaration that they have read and understand the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, or evidence that they have their own organisation’s safeguarding procedures, which they implement.