Bishop John writes: “The Diocese of Worcester is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults to worship and grow in Christ safely. I take that commitment very seriously and believe that making our churches safe for all is everyone’s responsibility. To enable that, our diocesan safeguarding team provides professional advice and training, as well as supporting those who may have suffered abuse. I commend to you the important policies and procedures detailed here. It is my prayer that they will help to ensure that all can flourish as God’s Kingdom People.”
Amanda Stokes is our parish safeguarding officer and she can be contacted at church and by emailing StWPSO[at]gmail.com or you can speak to Sarah the Vicar using her contact details on this site.
The Diocesan safeguarding team can be reached by clicking here
You can talk to the good people at Childline about anything. No problem is too big or too small. Call free on 0800 1111 or get in touch online. However you choose to contact them, you’re in control. It’s confidential and you don’t have to give your name if you don’t want to.
The following policy has been agreed and implemented by the PCC:
- We are committed to safeguarding and the care of the children within our church community.
- We are aware of and will implement the House of Bishops’ Child Protection Policy Protecting All God’s Children 4th edition (2010), A copy of this policy can be found on http://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk. We work closely with the Bishops Safeguarding Adviser.
- We will ensure that lay ministers, volunteers and paid workers who work with children and vulnerable adults are carefully selected and trained using the safe recruitment process and Disclosure and Barring Service to check the background of each person as outlined in the diocesan procedures. The Diocese will do likewise in respect of ordained.
- We will respond without delay to every complaint made, that a child or young person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed or is in significant danger, reporting it to the relevant authority.
- We will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation, into allegations concerning a member of the church community. We will inform the statutory agency of any suspected criminal offences or concerns that we are made aware of in respect of our contact with children.
- We will offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult survivor of abuse and provide details of local and national support agencies.
- We will supervise any member of our church community known to have offended against a child or vulnerable adult and ensuring proper and appropriate preventative safeguards are in place using a written agreement.
- We will review this policy annually, checking that all our procedures and activities involving children and vulnerable adults are up to date including the Disclosure and Barring Checks.
- We will review our insurance policy for those working with children and vulnerable adults ensuring we adopt the advice in the House of Bishops’ Policy and Promoting a Safe Church.
- A copy of this Policy will be displayed on the Parish Notice Board.
- PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN CONTACT THE FOLLOWING HELPLINES AT ANYTIME: CHILDLINE FREE: 0800 1111 FAMILY LIVES: 0808 800 2222
The PCC has identified the following activities involving children and vulnerable adults to which the House of Bishops Policy and Promoting a Safe Church applies:- All organised activities for or involving children and young persons on behalf of St Wulstans;
- All organised activities for or involving vulnerable adults on behalf of St Wulstans;
- Any use of the buildings by anyone at all where children, young people, or vulnerable adults are present.
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This Policy was discussed and agreed at the PCC meeting on 16th June 2022.