The Beacon Parish

Safeguarding

The Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat and Westmeston

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

As members of this PCC we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members.

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We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

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We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops.

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We will carefully select and train all those who work or volunteer in positions of trust. We will use the Disclosure and Barring Service, amongst other tools, to check the background of each person.

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We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.

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We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.

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We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.

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We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishop’s guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.

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We will review this policy annually and as part of this process will ensure that all our procedures, particularly in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service, are up to date.

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Our Acting Safeguarding Representative is:
Name: Tessa Haughton
Telephone number: 01273 843 581 / 07773 147 177
Email address: tessahaughton@gmail.com

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The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers are 
Jason Tingley who can be contacted during office hours  on Tel: 01273 425030 / 07384 258054

or email: jason.tingley@chichester.anglican.org 
Claire Coles who can be contacted on Tel: 01273 425792 / 07467 955750

or email: claire.coles@chichester.anglican.org

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Reporting abuse

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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.

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Finding support

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We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt if we are not able to immediately assist you. Here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.

• Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.

• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 ((lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

• Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

• Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 ( free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)

Further information can be found through the following links
https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/safeguarding_policy/
https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/whatdoidoif/