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Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church Activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Luke Shepherd.  If you have any safeguarding concerns, get in touch with Luke, reach out to one of the Helplines or one of the other points of contacts listed below. 

HELPLINES

  • NSPCC: 0808 8000 5000

  • Childline: 0800 1111

  • Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900

  • NAPAC: 0808 801 0331

  • Samaritans: 116 123

  • Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 2000 247

  • Respect Phoneline: 0808 8018 327

  • National Careline: 0800 0699 784

Revd Phil Macaulay

Rector

07977 849670

p.macaulay@gmail.com

Luke Shepherd

Parish Safeguarding Officer

07498 549728


safeguarding@
ecchurch.co.uk

Ben Goodhind

Diocesan Safeguarding Officer

01749 588917

ben.goodhind@bathandwells.anglican.org

Somerset Council Social Services

0300 123 2224


 

Local Contacts

If there is immediate risk or danger, please contact the police on 999

Our Safeguarding Policy

This policy was agreed at a special Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 23rd February 2025. 

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, Promoting a Safer Church, 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 safeguarding 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.  

  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.  

  • Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually (noting that this is a responsibility of the PCC rather than the specific responsibility of an appointed Parish Safeguarding Officer). 

 

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church. 

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