The North Walsham Benefice is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

The PSO for the Benefice of North Walsham is Mrs Lois Sherman 01692 402802.

Policy on Safeguarding - Children and Young People in the Church

1. It is the responsibility of all church members to do their best to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional or spiritual abuse of children and young people, and to report abuse that is alleged or suspected.

2. This church will observe Church of England guidelines with regard to Children and Young People. It will support and resource workers who are appointed by the PCC, and provide for them supervision as a way of maintaining good practice.

3. Workers will be expected to undertake the Child Protection Training that is offered by the Diocese and they may be required to obtain a DBS disclosure and complete a Confidential Declaration before commencing their work.

4. Responsibility for the appointment of workers shall rest with the PCC.

The Named Person appointed by the PCCs to oversee the implementation of this policy and to represent the concerns and views of children and young people is Mrs Lois Sherman

Click here to visit the Diocesan website with further contact details for any safeguarding matter.

Policy on Safeguarding - Vulnerable Adults in the Church

1. We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives. It is the responsibility of all church members to do their best to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional or spiritual abuse or neglect of adults who are vulnerable, and to report abuse that is alleged or suspected.

2. This church will observe Church of England guidelines with regard to Vulnerable Adults. It will support and resource workers who are appointed by the PCC, and provide for them supervision as a way of maintaining good practice.

3. Workers will be expected to undertake the Safeguarding Training that is offered by the Diocese and they may be required to obtain a DBS disclosure and complete a Confidential Declaration before commencing their work.

4. Responsibility for the appointment of workers shall rest with the PCC.

The Named Person appointed by the PCCs to oversee the implementation of this policy and to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people is Mrs Lois Sherman

The following link takes you to the Diocesan website with further contact details for any safeguarding matter: https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/training/safeguarding

Helplines

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

Childline 0800 1111

Harbour Centre (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) Norfolk 01603 276381

The Ferns (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) Suffolk 0300 123 5058

Refuge, Domestic abuse (women and men) 020 7395 7771

MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) 0808 801 0340

NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) 0808 801 0331

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