Safeguarding at St Michael's

St Michael’s Church, Galleywood

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.

October 2018.

Statement of Safeguarding Principles

We are committed to:

  • The care, nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and all adults;
  • The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and all adults;
  • The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where victims of abuse can report or disclose abuse and where they can find support and best practice that contributes to the prevention of abuse.

To this end:

  • We will carefully select, support and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with the principles of Safer Recruitment. We will respond without delay to every complaint made, that any adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
  • We will seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry that recognises the importance of understanding the needs of those who have been abused, including their feelings of alienation and / or isolation.
  • We will seek to protect survivors of abuse from the possibility of further harm and abuse.
  • We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of respect and responsibility, where they are trusted by others.
  • We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision, and referral to the appropriate authorities, to any member of our Church community known to have offended against a child, young person or adult who is vulnerable.

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

 

SAFEGUARDING SUPPORT

The most important point to bear in mind is, if in doubt about any safeguarding matter contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST) whose job it is to offer advice, guidance and support in all situations in which a child or adult may be at risk.  For this purpose, the DST can be contacted at any time on:

DST advice: 01245 294490

DST emergency: 01245 294444

Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR)

Janella Coates - Telephone - 01245 358797, mobile 07981 419796, email safeguarding@stmichaelsgalleywood.org.uk

Deputy: Ann Pepper telephone 01245 495529

Vicar: Rev David Cattle – telephone 01245 956953

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Contact details: 01245 294490 (office hours) 01245 294444 (emergency) or email: safeguarding@chelmsford.anglican.org


Covid-19 precautions for worship in the Church building. Click on the links below for more information : -

Covid-19 risk assessment. (published: 10 Dec 2021)

Covid-19 risk assessment for SONlight. (published: 7 Jan 2022)

Support during the Coronavirus pandemic

If you need support during the pandemic, or just a listening ear, you can contact our vicar Revd David Cattle (vicar@stmichaelsgalleywood.org.uk, 01245 956953)


As a Church, our aim is to support people affected by dementia, and we are working towards dementia-friendly status.

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