Safeguarding

If someone is at immediate risk or danger, please phone the police on 999

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole church. Everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all. 

We are committed to: 

• Promoting a safer environment and culture

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults

• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation

• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons

• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons

• Responding to those that may pose a present risk.

What we do: 

We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community. 

We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service. 

We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation. 

We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust. 

We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support. 

We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult. 

If you would prefer to speak to someone outside the church please contact Winchester Diocesan Safeguarding Manager on safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org or call 01962 737317 (out of weekday office hours call 0300 555 1373). 

Further information and resources are available at www.winchester.anglican.org/safeguarding 

Safeguarding Privacy Agreement to be read in conjunction with the volunteer application form/Confidential Declaration Form.

Diocese of Winchester Safeguarding Manager
Jackie Rowlands
jackie.rowlands@winchester.anglican.org
01962 737317 | 07921 865374