SAFEGUARDING

Concerns about a child or vulnerable adult? Contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer for your parish (see below).  Alternatively, you may contact one of the diocesan Safeguarding Advisors: safeguarding@dioceseofnorwich.org or 01603 882345

Is person at risk of immediate harm? Phone the police on 999 immediately.

Parish Safeguarding Officers: Each parish church has its own Safeguarding Officer:

Billingford: Georgina King-Fisher - georgina.king-fisher@hotmail.co.uk or 01379 740759

Brockdish: Ann Cork - annccork@btinternet.com or 01379 668635        

Redenhall with Harleston and Wortwell: Michael Clark (Safeguarding Officer for Redenhall with Harleston) - mikejclark01@hotmail.com or 01379 855099 

Needham: Robin Twigge - robintwigge@icloud.com  or   07818 400632

Scole: Lynda Mansfield - lyndamscole@hotmail.co.uk or 01379 740401

Thorpe Abbotts: Mary Alderton - maryalderton@btinternet.com or 01379 668537

More Information and Advice

The Benefice of Redenhall with Scole

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

A version of this policy has been adopted by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the following parishes:

St. Andrew Scole, St. Leonard Billingford, All Saints’ Thorpe Abbotts, SS Peter & Paul Brockdish, St. Peter’s Needham, and Redenhall with Harleston and Wortwell (St. John’s and St. Mary’s).

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our churches are 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.

To make this happen the parishes of this benefice 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 must agree to abide by this policy and its associated guidelines.