Benefice Safeguarding

REPORTING A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN

Should you have a Safeguarding concern, please contact our Benefice Safeguarding Officer, Catherine Worthington : Tel: 07973 428 308

Should you prefer to contact a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding team, please ring 01254 503088

We recognise that you may wish to contact an appropriate body outside the Church, in which case, please see the contact list below:

· Childline on 0800 1111

· ParentPlus on 07799 602858

· NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).

If you have immediate concerns about a vulnerable adult, but wish to speak to someone outside the Church organisation you may wish to call the Police (either as an emergency 999 or non emergency 101) or you can ring Adult Care Services on 08450530009.

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).

· National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Safe Spaces: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone, over 18, who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. {Helpline: 0300 303 1056}

Statement from Canon Cindy Rigney, Chair of the Benefice PCCs:

As a Benefice, we are committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe. All of the PCCs of the churches of the United Benefice of Dolphinholme, Quernmore and Over Wyresdale have adopted the House of Bishop’s ‘Promoting a Safer Church’

This means we follow the Church of England’s:

Parish Safeguarding Handbook Safer Environment and Activities Code of Safer Working Practice

All 3 can be downloaded from the Church of England’s Policy and Practice Guidance page.

Policy and practice guidance | The Church of England

Training and DBS

All who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, within our churches, have enhanced DBS clearance, which is regularly updated. They also have appropriate safeguarding training, provided by the Diocese of Blackburn Safeguarding team, as do members of our PCCs.

Signed by Cindy Rigney, {Vicar} On behalf of the PCCs of St Mark’s, Dolphinholme

St Peter’s, Quernmore

Christ Church, Over Wyresdale