Benefice of Topsham and Wear
Parish Statement of Safeguarding Principles
(This should be read in conjunction with our Benefice Safeguarding Policy)
The Parochial Church Councils of the Benefice of Topsham and Wear fully recognise and accept the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy Statement “Promoting a Safer Church 2017”, and commit to complying with the current Church of England and Diocesan safeguarding policies and practice guidance. In so doing we will comply with the secular multi-agency safeguarding procedures relating to children and young people and adults experiencing or at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.
We are committed to:
· Promoting a safer environment and culture within our Benefice and in our Benefice’s activities by adhering to safe working practices and acknowledging the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s business.
In addition we will ensure that any individual organisation renting/using our premises for activities involving children, young people or vulnerable adults is aware of this, as well as our Safeguarding Policy, and aware of their own individual responsibilities to have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place, including safer recruitment.
· Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibilities related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church in accordance with Church of England Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance (2021).
We will ensure those appointed are aware of the Diocesan and Parish Safeguarding Policies and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. We will support them by ensuring they receive Diocesan safeguarding training commensurate with their role and that they are fully aware of and have access to the practice guidance.
· Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation in accordance with the statutory child and adult safeguarding procedures and the House of Bishops’ safeguarding practice guidance.
We will ensure that any complaint made regarding a vulnerable person, who may have been harmed or is in significant danger, will be reported immediately and we will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation into allegations concerning a member of the church community or any other person.
· Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
We will seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry that recognises the importance of understanding the needs of those who have been abused, including their feelings of alienation and/or isolation and provide them with details of local and national support agencies.
· Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
We will work with others to ensure the appropriate support for them and those affected is in place. Where that person is considered to pose a risk to others, we will work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to mitigate any identified risk.
· Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
We will endeavor to offer pastoral care and support whilst ensuring any risk has been assessed and is being managed in accordance with House of Bishops’ policy and guidance and in collaboration with the statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.
Safeguarding representative
We will ensure that there is an identified person/s to be the Parish Safeguarding Representative/s who will be suitably recruited and trained, and is aware of their role and responsibilities, and who will be the point of contact for any concerns.
We have appointed Mrs Katie Gray as our Parish Safeguarding Representative for the Benefice.
Guidance
Copies of Diocesan and parish guidelines and procedures signposted within our Safeguarding Policy which is available in our churches and on ‘A Church Near You’.
Review
This statement of safeguarding principles will be formally reviewed annually and a copy shared with the Archdeacon at the time of the Visitation.
Date of Adoption
The PCCs of this Benefice agreed and adopted the above statement at its meeting on 24/9/25. The PCC shall review this policy annually.
Signed
Incumbent: Rev. Louise Grace
Date 24/9/25
Review Date: September '26
Template Revision History
Version No.
Revision Date
Summary of Changes
Author
1.0
18/08/2017
Initial version.
Charlie Pitman
1.1
06/08/2020
Added revision history and renamed.
Phill Parker
1.2
26/07/2024
Changed SR&PM details
Rebecca Lane
Please Note
If you have a concern about the safety of someone or the actions of someone working with children or vulnerable adults, please:
· Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm!
. Speak to the Parish Safeguarding Representative; Katie Gray [email protected]
or in absence Louise Grace [email protected]
. Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor: Charlie Pitman.
Contact Details Charlie: 01395 345909 or 07889 542640
· Diocesan Safeguarding Team’s contact details - https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/safeguarding/safeguarding-team/
. NSPCC – 0808 800 5000
. Childline – 0800 1111
. Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900
. NAPAC – 0808 801 0331
. Samaritans – 116 123
. Family Lives – 0808 800 2222
. National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
. Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141
ZOOM Meetings
All practical means will be taken to prevent any intrusion of unacceptable behaviour, speech or images into our zoom services. This involves the host of the session using the waiting room facility to note participants; the mute (audio and video) facility; disabling of screen sharing, and the lockdown of session facility.
Zoom sessions with children - sessions should not take place with the children in their bedroom; they should be dressed in day clothes, and there should be an adult present in the room, or in an adjacent room with the door open.
Vulnerable adults and children - anyone having any concerns about safeguarding they have contact with should alert the vicar or Katie Gray (the safeguarding officer) immediately.