Safeguarding
Hello, I'm Janet and I am St Ben’s Safeguarding Officer. This means I am responsible, along with our vicar, for ensuring that all of us who have significant contact with children or vulnerable adults are safely recruited, and responding promptly to any concerns that may be raised.
We take seriously our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Reporting safeguarding concerns:
To report any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Church Safeguarding Officer, Janet Selling safeguarding@Stbens.uk (emails are being monitored via vicar and Churchwarden) or you can speak directly with your vicar or churchwarden.
Alternatively
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, Angie Barber or Amie Freeman
Telephone: 01733 887000
Email: angie.barber@peterborough-diocese.org.uk or amie.freeman@Peterborough-diocese.org.uk
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
If a child or adult is in serious danger contact the police 999 / 101.
Outside of office hours, from 5pm, advice can be sought from the Thirtyone:eight safeguarding helpline on 0303 003 1111, selecting option 2. Thirtyone:eight is an independent safeguarding charity which works in close partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (DST). More information can be found here: https://thirtyoneeight.org/
Safeguarding statement
1. Promoting a safer environment and culture
We will strive to create and maintain environments that are safer for all, that promote well-being, that prevent abuse, and that create nurturing, caring conditions within the Church for children, young people and vulnerable adults. Our Church Officers will respect all children, young people and vulnerable adults and promote their well-being.
2. Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults within the Church.
We will select and vet all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church, in accordance with the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and practice guidance. We will train and equip Church Officers to have the confidence and skills they need to care and support children, young people and vulnerable adults and to recognise and respond to abuse.
3. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
Anyone who brings any safeguarding suspicion, concern, knowledge or allegation of current or non-current abuse to the notice of the Church will be responded to respectfully and in a timely manner, in line with statutory child and adult safeguarding procedures and the House of Bishops safeguarding policy and practice guidance.
4. Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
We will endeavour to offer care and support to all those that have been abused, regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred. Those who have suffered abuse within the Church will receive a compassionate response, be listened to and be taken seriously
5. Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
The Church in exercising its responsibilities to suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations of abuse will endeavour to respect the rights under criminal, civil and ecclesiastical law of an accused Church Officer including the clergy. A legal presumption of innocence will be maintained during the statutory and Church inquiry processes. The Church will take responsibility for ensuring that steps are taken to protect others when any Church Officer is considered a risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults.
6. Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Church, based on the message of the gospel, opens its doors to all. We will therefore endeavour to offer pastoral care and support to any member of the church community who may present a known risk. The Church will ensure that any risk has been assessed and is being managed in a safeguarding agreement in accordance with House of Bishops policy and practice guidance.
Note: Statement adapted from The Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Adults 2017.