Safeguarding | St John's Yeadon

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 10th June 2019.

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 and survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
Caring pastorally for those who are the subjects of concerns or allegations of abuse, and other affected persons.
Responding to those who 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 guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Sue Doubtfire as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Incumbent: Richard Walker Churchwardens: Mark Shannon and John Spode

Reporting Concerns

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED THAT someone you know is at risk of, or is being, abused, or presents a risk to others, please report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay. Where this matter relates to the services, events, ministries, groups or individuals at St John's church, we also ask you to seek advice from our Safeguarding Officer or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as soon as possible.

The parish's safeguarding officer, Sue Doubtfire, can be contacted at suedoubt@talktalk.net or through calling on 07889 292599. Please contact Sue if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult connected with the work of St John's church. Alternatively, contact the Vicar, Rev Richard Walker, at vicar@stjohnsyeadon.org or on 0113 250 2272.

If you would prefer to speak to someone outside of the parish,

please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on

safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org or on 0113 353 0257.

The Safeguarding section of the website of the Diocese of Leeds,

which includes emergency contact advice, can be accessed here.

The Church of England's Policy Statement can be viewed here.

Local Authority Social Services can be contacted on

0113 376 0336 / 0113 240 9536.

Safeguarding Policy - Promoting A Safer Church

ST JOHN'S CHURCH, YEADON