1 Safeguarding

New Cross Community Church is committed to ensuring that children and young people as well as adults are kept safe whilst in our care is an integral part of our church life. If you have any concerns about safeguarding please contact:</span>

In the Parish: ( Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator - Julie Cotterill, Tel contact – 01623 515540)

In the Diocese: (Donna Bernard- Carlin, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, 01636 817200)

Out of Hours for Children & Adults:

Nottinghamshire: 0300 456 4546

Nottingham City Council: 0115 876 1000

Bawtry: 01302 796 000

A MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP OF SOUTHWELL AND NOTTINGHAM

THE PAST CASE REVIEW 2 (PCR2)

As the Church of England’s Bishop for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham I am pleased that, like all the dioceses across the Church of England, we are currently undertaking a second Past Case Review – also known as PCR2.

PCR2 is a vital part of the Church of England’s commitment to improve our treatment and care of all survivors of abuse. We are deeply saddened by all instances of historic abuse and the profound damage inflicted on people’s lives by those who have failed to safeguard or those in positions of authority and responsibility who have abused the trust placed in them.

As part of PCR2, there is now an open invitation to hear from anyone who has experienced abuse within a church context so we can support you and learn from what you tell us.

We understand that coming forward might be hard; even if hearing this notice causes you concern, please know that there are people ready to listen and support you. Please be assured that survivor identity will not be shared and that two experienced safeguarding professionals have been appointed who are totally independent from the diocese. These safeguarding reviewers will receive your testimonies or meet you to hear your story.

The Past Case Review is an extensive piece of work, overall taking two and a half years to complete. The information we gather will form part of an important wider national report that will be published in 2022.

We would therefore encourage anyone who has experienced harm within the church, whether you have shared the information before or have never shared it with anyone else, to make contact. If you would like to feed directly into the PCR2 process through the independent reviewers, please do so by the 3rd September 2021. The diocesan Safeguarding Team will be available for anyone who wishes to come forward after that date. Please visit the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham website (www.southwell.anglican.org for more information or email the diocesan safeguarding team ([email protected])

Thank you for giving this your time and thought so that your voice can be heard; there is much we need to do to get this right but, with your help and insights, we will make the church a safer place for all.

With my continuing prayers,

June 2021

The Church of England is undertaking a second review of files held in all dioceses and parishes to ensure that churches and church related activities are as safe as possible for children and vulnerable adults.

Known as the Past Cases Review 2, it aims to identify both good practice and institutional failings in the way that allegations of abuse have been handled in the past. It will also provide recommendations on how practice and processes can be improved.

All Parishes in the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham are obliged to submit relevant information for the review. Parishes have been asked to check back through their parish records to ensure that all safeguarding concerns and allegations involving clergy or church officers have been reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA). In parishes without a priest, the churchwardens will complete the review supported by the Area Dean.

Preparation for PCR2 is already underway as it needs to be completed by the end of 2020

Barry Earnshaw, Independent Chair to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP), will work with independent case reviewers to scrutinise the files to make sure all cases have been dealt with appropriately.

Individuals who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process, or who need to come forward with information, or make any disclosures regarding church related abuse, are encouraged to make direct contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) on 01636 817200 or email [email protected]

However, recognising that for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the church may not feel comfortable, a dedicated telephone helpline - 0800 80 20 20 - operated independently from the church, by the NSPCC, has been set up. Anyone can use the helpline to provide information or to raise concerns regarding abuse within the Church of England; whether they are reporting issues relating to children, adults or seeking to whistle blow about poor safeguarding practice.

PCR2 – a national programme

Every other Diocese in the Church of England is undertaking a similar review. The previous past cases review, carried out in 2007, looked at safeguarding complaints made against clergy in relation to children. PCR2 is much broader in scope and will look at all safeguarding complaints made against clergy and church officials relating to children and adults, including domestic abuse.

Survivors were not invited to contribute to the 2007-2009 PCR and the Church has wanted to ensure a different, trauma informed approach is taken by PCR2. Listening to survivor voices has helped to shape how this review itself will be conducted.

It is hoped that when the PCR2 has been completed the Church will be able to state that:

 All known safeguarding cases have been appropriately managed and reported to statutory agencies or the police where appropriate;

 The needs of any known victims have been considered and that sources of support have been identified and offered, where this is appropriate;

 All identified risks have been assessed and mitigated as far as is reasonably possible.

For more information on PCR2 go to:

https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/promoting-safer-church/policy-practice-guidance

PCR2 is an integral part of House of Bishops Promoting a Safer Church policy.

Review of original PCR by Roger Singleton published June 2018