Safeguarding Policy

Saint James the Great, Old Milverton, Leamington Spa.

Safeguarding Statement

As part of the Christian Church living in the spirit of the Gospel, we are committed to protect and care for everyone in the church community, but especially adults at risk and children.

We are committed to:

· The care of, the nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with all children and adults.

· The safeguarding and protection of all children and adults.

· The establishing of a safe, caring community which provides a loving environment where victims of abuse can report or disclose abuse and where they can find support and best practice that contributes to the prevention of abuse.

To this end we will:

· Carefully select, support and train all those with any responsibility within the church, in line with the Church of England’s Practice Guidance for Safer Recruitment.

· Respond without delay to every complaint made that a child or adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.

· Seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry that recognises the importance of understanding the needs of those who have been abused, including their feelings of alienation and/or isolation.

· Seek to protect survivors of abuse from the possibility of further harm and abuse.

· Seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of respect and responsibility, where they are trusted by others.

· Seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision, and referral to the appropriate authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child or adult.

In all of the above:

· We will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.

· We will monitor and regularly review our safeguarding procedures.

Saint James the Great, Old Milverton, Leamington Spa. Safeguarding Statement

Contact Information:

· St James Church Safeguarding Officer:

- Penny Hawkins

- Telephone 07833978522 - email hawkinsfamily01@gmail.com

· Diocesan Safeguarding Team: 024 7652 1345

You may also use these contact numbers:

· “Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm”

· A link to the parish safeguarding policy

· A link to the safeguarding section of the diocesan website

· The phone number of the local social care team: Coventry – 024 7683 2222 Solihull – 0121 605 6060 Warwickshire – 01926 886 922

· National helplines:

- NSPCC – 0808 800 5000

- Childline – 0800 1111

- Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900 NAPAC – 0808 801 0331

- Samaritans – 116 123 Family Lives – 0808 800 2222

- National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247

- Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141

St James The Great

​Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire