SAFEGUARDInG

Safeguarding is of central importance to us at Redland Church. We work in close partnership with the team in the Diocese of Bristol to ensure that Redland Church is a safe space for all.

If you have a safeguarding concern or question please consider the following steps and respond accordingly. We encourage people to bring forward any concern however seemingly minor as it may contribute to a bigger picture you are unaware of.

  1. Emergencies

    If someone has been abused or attacked or there is any imminent danger to yourself or others then call the Police on 999. If it isn’t an emergency but you need help fast, call the Police on 101.

  2. Contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer

    Margaret Matthews is the Parish Safeguarding Officer and should be the first port of call in most non emergency situations. Please raise any and all concerns with her directly.

    Parish Safeguarding Officer - Margaret Matthews // safeguarding@redland.church // 0117 924 3350

    If for any reason Margaret cannot be reached contact one or all of the following

    Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer - Celia Howe // info@redland.church // 07799 004692

    Kids and Families Lead - Sian Campbell-Colquhoun // sian@redland.church // 0117 9464690

    Youth Lead - Matt Uberoi-Whyte // matt@redland.church // 0117 9464690

    Vicar - Will Fairbairn // will@redland.church // 0117 9464691

  3. Make a Record

    With any concern you should make a record to be passed on as needed as soon as possible. Record all that happened: what you’ve seen, what you did, what was said by and to you and anything else that is relevant.

  4. Further Help

    If you need any further advice or if for any reason you don’t feel you can raise your concern with the identified Redland Church representatives then contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer

    Bristol Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser- Adam Bond // adambond@bristoldiocese.org // 0117 9060100

    If you don’t feel able to safely raise your conern with them or for further advice then please use the following list.

    Alternative contact details:
    NSPCC:     0808 800 5000
    CHILDLINE:     0800 1111
    STOP IT NOW:     0808 1000 900
    NAPAC:     0808 801 0331
    SAMARITANS:     116 123
    FAMILY LIVES:     0808 800 2222
    NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE:     0808 2000 247
    ACTION ON ELDER ABUSE:     0808 808 8141


For further and detailed information on our safeguarding policy and procedures these can be read in full here.

Margaret Matthews Parish safeguarding officer

Margaret Matthews Parish Safeguarding Officer

Safeguarding Policy 

In accordance with the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017) and ‘Protecting All God’s Children’ (2010), and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018), Redland Parish 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 who may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

· Seek to 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 the 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 and 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 policies, 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.

Further guidance can be found in the National Church’s Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance.

The National Church’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook provides further advice on responding to concerns.