Our Safeguarding Officer is Susannah Atherton (0161 536 6152).

The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is Abbey Clephane-Wilson at Church House (0161 828 1451).

The parish of Christ Church: West Didsbury & St Christopher: Withington is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Manchester’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Compliance with this policy must be checked by the churchwardens annually and a report presented to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for discussion and approval.

People

The PCC is responsible for the laity.

All church workers, paid and unpaid, coming into regular pastoral contact with children (under 18) and vulnerable adults must be DBS enhanced checked as required by law.

A register of these DBS checks must be kept.

All such workers must attend training in safeguarding issues and must attend an informal review meeting with the incumbent at least once every year.

Written guidelines should be given to all such workers and updated as necessary.

Where a worker is new to the parish, or is not well known to other parishioners, two satisfactory written references must be obtained before the individual is permitted to engage in pastoral work with children and/or vulnerable adults.

A written copy of the Parish Safeguarding Policy must be given to all those making use of either church or church hall, and they must be told that there is a requirement that they adhere to it as a condition of the hiring agreement. Hirers must sign a written undertaking that they agree to this and are covered by insurance.



Place

There must be an annual inspection and risk assessment of all church premises.

There must be access to the premises and toilet facilities for those with problems with mobility.

There must be provision in both churches for those with hearing disability and those with impaired vision, including the availability of large print service sheets.

There must be adequate public liability insurance policies in place.

There must be adequate Employers’ Liability insurance policies in place.

Fire extinguishers and gas and electrical equipment must be checked according to legal requirements.

Practice and Procedures

There must be health and safety policies and safeguarding policies which are reviewed at least once a year.

There must be an annual fire evacuation drill in both churches and particular attention must be paid to the emergency evacuation of children and vulnerable adults.

There must be an accident book in both churches and incidents of accidents or near accidents must be recorded.

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