The Stroudwater Team of Churches are passionate believers that the church should be a safe place for all.
As a member of the Anglican church, we are bound by the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook, which is the basis for the policy and procedures of Stroudwater Safeguarding.
As a part of the Gloucester Diocese, we also have access to resources and guidance from the Diocese, much of which can be found here
Safeguarding Policy
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy the Stroudwater Team 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 Team will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- The Team Clergy will work with the parish and cluster safeguarding officers 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 Team.
- 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.
Reporting any Issues
To get the fastest response to any issues you have with safeguarding at Stroudwater, in the first instance, you should contact our Safeguarding Officer, (the Rector). All information will be treated in the strictist confidence unless we have a legal requirement to disclose under some specific areas.
If the issue relates to the Rector, or if you are unhappy with any action taken, you should in the second instance contact the Gloucester Diocese Safeguarding Team for advice using the contact information here.
You are, of course, completely free to use any of the relevant contacts below instead but you are likely to be referred back to the contact person closest to the issue to get the fastest and most appropriate response.
Useful contacts
There are many organisations that can help with guidance and support with regards to safeguarding. These are included at the end of the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook