At All Saints’ Church Thornton Hough we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.
We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact our safeguarding officer.
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Linda Arch.
Email: safeguarding@allsaintsth.org.uk
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted at safeguarding@chester.anglican.org
or on 01928 718834 (option 4)
Out of Hours Support
The Diocese of Chester partners with Thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Team is unavailable - this also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police on 999 and/or your local authority Children or Adults Service.
Helplines
Safe Spaces England and Wales - Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone 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.
Email: SafeSpaces@FirstLight.org.uk
Safe Spaces Helpline: 0300 303 1056
Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 21:00
Saturdays: 09:00 - 13:00
Sundays: 13:00 - 17:00
Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours)
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
Local authority social services: 0151 677 6557
The Parish of All Saints Thornton Hough
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on October 3rd 2018 and reaffirmed on October 10th 2023 .
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our 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 that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
- 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 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.