If a child or adult is injured or in immediate danger please call the police on 999 and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

WHAT TO DO IF:

You have concerns about possible abuse (including allegations):

1. In an emergency, respond immediately.

2. Consult the person to whom you are responsible.

3. Decide together whether to seek advice or to make an immediate referral.

4. Keep a record of what happened, your concerns and your actions.

5. Tell your minister and/or safeguarding co-ordinator.

6. Only tell others who need to know.

A child, young person or adult wishes to disclose they have been abused:

1. Listen. Keep listening. Do not question or investigate. Do not promise confidentiality; tell them we need to share this. Assure them they are not to blame.

2. Tell them what you are going to do and that they will be told what happens.

3. Make careful notes of what is said, record dates, times, events and when you are told.

4. Report it to the person to whom you are responsible and your minister or safeguarding co-ordinator.

5. Only tell those who need to know.

6. If a child is in imminent danger report to the Police or Social Service.

For further information, please visit: https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/safeguarding/

DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISERS

During Office Hours and for General Enquiries please call either: 

Neil Spiring (Head of Diocesan Safeguarding)  Tel: 01543 306147   Email: [email protected];

Peter Hurd  (Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser)  Tel: 01543 221105   Email: [email protected]; or 

Kim Hodgkins (Diocesan Safeguarding Officer)  Tel: 01543 306099  Email: [email protected] .

For Out of Hours and Weekend Emergencies please call the Emergency Safeguarding number 0303 003 1111 (option 2).

This number will take you through to Thirty One Eight (thirtyoneeight.org/, formerly CCPAS), who will register your call and help with your emergency. We have an information sharing agreement with Thirty One Eight so that any details given will be forwarded onto the Diocesan Safeguarding team so we can follow up with you if necessary. You can choose to remain anonymous if you wish to when making the call but we will not be able to get any follow up information.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS/NUMBERS: 

Childline: 0800 1111

Samaritans: 116 123

REMEMBER: 

Treat everyone with respect, setting a positive example for others. 

Respect personal space and privacy. 

Ensure another adult is present or within sight or hearing of any activity. 

Ensure any actions cannot be misinterpreted by someone else. 

Challenge unacceptable behaviour. 

Do not put anyone, including yourself, in a vulnerable or compromising situation. 

Do not have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others. 

You must not keep allegations or suspected abuse secret.