ST BARNABAS SAFEGUARDING POLICY SUMMARY 

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

We believe at St Barnabas that every person has value and worth as we are all made in the image of God. We also believe that the care and protection of all people is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of St Barnabas.

Below is a summary of what we at St Barnabas are fully committed to:

·      Creating a safe, caring and nurturing place for all people – particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.

·      Listening to and taking seriously all those who disclose abuse.

·      Co-operating fully with any investigation.

·      Offering pastoral support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.

·      Taking a ‘whole church’ approach to safeguarding whereby everyone has a role to play.

·      Having a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the Vicar and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.

·      Passing all safeguarding matters always to our PSO.

·      Safely recruiting, training and supporting all those with any responsibility for children, young people and vulnerable adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

·      Ensuring that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children, young people and adults undertaken in the name of the Parish.

·      Displaying in the Main Church Building and the St Barnabas Centre and on the church website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

·      Taking steps to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises. This includes notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

·      Caring for and monitoring any member of St Barnabas who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

·      Reviewing annually our Health and Safety Policy, Procedures and Risk Assessments.

·      Reviewing annually the implementation of our Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice.

 Each person in the staff team, the PCC and serving on a team in church agrees to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

POLICY AND PROCEDURE 

To read a full copy of our safeguarding policy and practices please email: office@stbs.org.uk

St Barnabas PCC reviewed this policy in September 2023 and will review it again in 2024.

At the bottom of this page is a flowchart showing how any safeguarding allegations are dealt.

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS

St Barnabas:
Alison Walker – Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) – safeguarding@stbs.org.uk

Ely Diocese:
Rebecca Boswell – Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser – 01353 652 731 or 07904487912

Sarah King – Diocesan Safeguarding Officer – 01353 652 735

National Services:
Childline: 0800 1111 (free 24 hour helpline) for children and young people in the UK. For those who are deaf or struggle to using a regular phone the textphone service is available on 0800 400 222.

NSPCC: child protection helpline- 0808 800 5000 (free 24 hour helpline unless using a mobile)

Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free 24 hour helpline)

Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (free 24 hour helpline).

Local Services:
Cambridge Police – 101 or 999 in an emergency

Cambridge Council Children services – 0345 045 5203 or out of hours emergency is 01733 234 724

Cambridge Council Adult Safeguarding Team – 0345 045 9090