All the benefice parishes have adopted the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese in particular, 'Promoting a Safer Church'.
Safeguarding
West Purbeck Benefice takes its responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk very seriously, and works in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we work in accordance with best practice at all times.
Local Contact for the West Purbeck Benefice
Rev. Canon Richard Bartlett
01929 792633
Parish Safeguarding Policies:
Each parish in the benefice has adopted the Salisbury Diocesan Safeguarding Policy:
SAFEGUARDING POLICY – PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
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.
If you have any Safeguarding questions or concerns you can contact the relevant Parish Safeguarding Officer:
Wool: Chris Irwin: irwin.cs@gmail.com
Affpuddle: Elizabeth Whatley mistletoeandhobbs@icloud.com
Bere Regis: Joanna Syrett: joanna@safepartnership.org
Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers, details on poster above, or email safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org
Other Links
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers
There are two Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors (DSAs), who work together on a job-share basis to provide safeguarding cover throughout the week. They are:
Mrs Suzy Futcher
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Suzy works 9am-5pm, Monday-Wednesday inclusive. She should be the first point of contact for urgent safeguarding advice from 8am-9pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 8am until 1pm on a Wednesdays (via mob 07500 664800), after which she will handover to Jem Carter as below.. Suzy is also the Safeguarding Adviser to Jersey.
Mr Jem (Jeremy) Carter
Safeguarding Adviser
Jem works 9am-5pm Tuesday-Friday inclusive, although one day a week (predominantly Tuesday) will be spent providing dedicated Safeguarding support to the Cathedral. Jem should be the first point of contact for urgent safeguarding advice from 1pm on Weds through until 5pm on a Friday. He is available on an ‘on call’ basis until 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings – on mobile 07469 857888. Jem is also the Safeguarding Adviser to Guernsey.
Service provider ‘thirtyone:eight’ provides cover from 5pm on Friday until 8am the following Monday – Tel 0303 0031111.
Diocesan Safeguarding local policies
http://www.salisbury.anglican.org/resources-library/parishes/safeguarding1/local-policies
Diocesan safeguarding topics
http://www.salisbury.anglican.org/parishes/safeguarding
https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/resources-library/parishes/safeguarding1/national-policies
Church of England Safeguarding nationally