Safeguarding

Safeguarding at All Saint’s Church

The Safeguarding Policy of All Saints’ Church can be read here

Safeguarding Issues: – How to report and who to contact

Any allegation or disclosure involving someone who works with children in a paid or voluntary capacity must be reported directly to the Incumbent, or Safeguarding Officers, unless it involves them and then it should be reported directly to the Safeguarding Officer at the Diocese.

What to do if you are worried about a child or vulnerable adult

The church has statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All staff members should be aware of the systems within All Saints’ which support safeguarding.

If you have any concerns about the health and safety of a child or vulnerable adult at this church or feel that something may be troubling them, you will need to decide what action to take. Where possible you should share this information with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, or in their absence, the Incumbent straight away, to agree a course of action, but you may also make a referral directly to the Diocese. If you do this, you must inform the Designated Safeguarding Officers as soon as possible.

Please do not worry that you may be reporting a small matter – we would rather you report things which turn out to be small than miss a worrying situation.

If you think the matter is very serious and may be related to a child protection concern, where the child has been harmed or is at risk of harm e.g. physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect, a referral should be made to children’s social care and/or the police immediately. Anyone can make a referral, but where you make a referral without reference to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, they must be informed as soon as possible. Do not delay. If you are unable to contact them you can ask the Incumbent or Diocese to find them and ask them to speak to you straight away about a confidential and urgent matter.