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Safeguarding

The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community.

In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

  • Worcester Adult and Children’s Social Care – Childrens 01905 822666 Adults 01905 768053 (out of hours 01905 768020) 
  • Dudley Adult and Children’s Social Care – 0300 555 0055 (out of hours 0300 555 8574)
  • Sandwell Adult Social Care – Adult 0121 569 2266 (out of hours 0121 569 2355)
  • Sandwell Children’s Social Care – 0121 569 3100
  • West Mercia Police (Worcestershire) – 101
  • West Midlands Police (remainder of the Diocese) – 101
  • Childline FREE – 0800 1111
  • Family Lives (formally Parentline Plus) – 0808 800 2222

At Saint George’s we take the Protection of Children and Adults seriously. If you or someone you know feels unsafe, the following contact information may be useful to you.

Incumbent Rev Jo Musson
Safeguarding Representative Paul Fullbrook

Incumbent Rev Jo Musson 01905 780200

Safeguarding Representative: Paul Fulbrook 01905 454669

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Hilary Higton – 07495 060869 – hhigton@cofe-worcester.org.uk

The Diocese of Worcester is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults to worship and grow in Christ safely. I take that commitment very seriously and believe that making our churches safe for all is everyone’s responsibility. To enable that, our diocesan safeguarding team provides professional advice and training, as well as supporting those who may have suffered abuse. I commend to you the important policies and procedures detailed here. It is my prayer that they will help to ensure that all can flourish as God’s Kingdom People.

Bishop John

Safe Spaces

Launched in September 2020, this service offers support to survivors of church-related abuse whether or not a report has been made. This independent service is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone, email or web-chat.

Past Cases Review 2 (PCR 2)

Currently, we – like all the other dioceses in the Church of England – are conducting a Past Cases Review 2 (PCR 2) into safeguarding matters relating to sexual abuse of children or vulnerable adults. Click here to find out how to report past abuse, as well as a helpline and other support available to anyone impacted by these matters.

Dealing with safeguarding during the coronavirus pandemic:

The NSPCC has created a new webpage with information and advice for parents or carers who are worried a child or young person may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about coronavirus. The webpage includes information on: talking about feelings and worries; keeping in touch and balancing screen time; ways to create structure and routine; and helping to give children a sense of control. Read the information and advice: Talking to a child worried about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Domestic Abuse: We know that for those experiencing domestic abuse, self isolating at home presents additional dangers. Women’s Aid have provided some specific safety advice

Protection of Children and Adults

Our Safeguarding Policy

The following policy is also on the wall in the Magdalene Room and has been agreed and implemented by the PCC:

1. We are committed to safeguarding and the care of the children within our church community.

2. We are aware of and will implement the House of Bishops’ Child Protection Policy Protecting All God’s Children 4th edition (2010). We work closely with the Bishops Safeguarding Adviser.

3. We will ensure that lay ministers, volunteers and paid workers who work with children and vulnerable adults are carefully selected and trained using the safe recruitment process and Disclosure and Barring Service to check the background of each person as outlined in the diocesan procedures. The Diocese will do likewise in respect of ordained.

4. We will respond without delay to every complaint made, that a child or young person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed or is in significant danger, reporting it to the relevant authority.

5. We will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation, into allegations concerning a member of the church community. We will inform the statutory agency of any suspected criminal offences or concerns that we are made aware of in respect of our contact with children.

6. We will offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult survivor of abuse and provide details of local and national support agencies.

7. We will supervise any member of our church community known to have offended against a child or vulnerable adult and ensuring proper and appropriate preventative safeguards are in place using a written agreement.

8. We will review this policy annually, checking that all our procedures and activities involving children and vulnerable adults are up to date including the Disclosure and Barring Checks.

9. We will review our insurance policy for those working with children and vulnerable adults ensuring we adopt the advice in the House of Bishops’ Policy and Promoting a Safe Church.

10. A copy of this Policy will be displayed on the Parish Notice Board

11. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN CONTACT THE FOLLOWING HELPLINES AT ANYTIME:

The PCC has identified the following activities involving children and vulnerable adults to which the House of Bishops Policy and Promoting a Safe Church applies:

1. All organised activities for or involving children and young persons on behalf of Saint Georges’.

2. All organised activities for or involving vulnerable adults on behalf of Saint Georges’.

3. Any use of the buildings by anyone at all where children, young people, or vulnerable adults are present. This Policy was agreed by the PCC on 19th January 2021.

This policy was signed by the Church Warden, Incumbent, PCC Secretary and the Parish Safeguarding Officer on 19th January 2021.