Parish Safeguarding Policy

• As members of the PCC in the Parish of St George’s, Whyke, with Rumboldswyke and Portfield we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members.
• We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
• We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops.
• We will carefully select and train all those who work or volunteer in positions of trust. We will use the Disclosure and Barring Service, amongst other tools, to check the background of each person.
• We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.
• We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.
• We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.
• We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishop’s guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.
• We will review this policy annually and as part of this process will ensure that all our procedures, particularly in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service, are up to date.

Saint George’s PCC has also adopted the following policies from 3rd April 2018:

• Responding to Safeguarding Allegations in the Parish: Parish Policy and Guidance
• Parish E-Safety Policy
• Expressing Concerns and ‘Whistleblowing’: Policy and Guidance

If you have any Safeguarding queries or concerns, please contact the Safeguarding Officer by email at safeguarding@whyke.info or using our contact form.

Diocesan safeguarding website:  https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/