Phone: 07443 228077 email: northwearsideparish@gmail.com
safeguarding policies and information
Parish Safeguarding Policy
The following policy was reviewed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 3rd July 2024
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/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.
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 the guidelines established by this church.
You can find a downloadable copy of this policy here or by clicking the image above
la Barber is our Parish Safeguarding officer.
Her contact number is:
07743713417
Policies and important information
Reporting concerns
Our PSO is Paula Barber her number is 07743713417
If you have concerns and prefer not to talk to a member of the local church please follow the link to find more information.
Adult and children's social care Sunderland
Adult 0191 520 5552.
Children Contact Children's Safeguarding on 0191 520 5560
As the Safeguarding Officer is not available 24 hours a day. Here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5 pm)
- NAPAC (The National Association for People Abused in Childhood) 0808 801 0331 (Monday – Thursday 10am – 9pm Friday 10am – 6pm) or email support@napac.org.uk
- The Survivors Trust: 08088 010818 (free 7 day a week helpline) or email helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org
Police : Call 101 or 999 in emergency
Survivor support
Finding support
To access support from within the Diocese of Durham contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer:
Beth Miller - Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Address: Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham DH1 3RY
Email: beth@bethmillerisw.co.uk | beth.miller@durham.anglican.org
Mobile: 07968034075
The safeguarding adviser will be able to arrange for access to the following sources of support:
Therapeutic support to meet emotional and psychological needs in the immediate and medium-term period following a disclosure. Therapeutic support can be arranged by our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and services can usually be provided through the Diocesan College of Counsellors within a fortnight
- Contact details for national services for victims and survivors – for example: Stop It Now, Samaritans, NSPCC, MACSAS Survivors Voices – and local charities such as Survivors' Network.
House of Bishops "Promoting a safer church"
this is the Church of England's safeguarding policy statement for children, young people and adults. There should be a copy available at both churches
Domestic abuse guidelines document
It can be hard to believe that domestic abuse happens within church communities, but research has shown that 1 in 4 church attenders have experienced abuse within their current relationship.
Training is available to anyone and will enable the participant to recognise signs and symptoms of domestic abuse and provide advice and guidance on how best to respond to a victim/survivor.
Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse is available in an e learning version accessible through the Church of England Safeguarding Training portal.
Safeguarding Training
There are some online resources for safeguarding training available on the Durham diocesan website on the link below scroll to the bottom of the page for training
National policies and procedures
This link takes you to the Church of England national website page on safeguarding