Safeguarding

Jesus said,

"Let the little children come to me and do not stop them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mark Ch 10:14)

And Paul said

“For by the grace given to me I say to every one among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:3-8).

Here at St John the Baptist, Bridgwater:-

We regard the presence of children, young people and vulnerable adults as an integral part of the life and worship of this church. 

We aim to nurture their spirituality in a place where they feel welcome and each is valued for who they are as an individual. 

We promise that we will continuously strive to make St John’s an environment where everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, heritage, religion or none, is made to feel safe and secure. That each person may                                   

• Be treated with respect and dignity

• Have their privacy respected

• Be able to lead as independent a life as possible

• Be able to choose how to lead their life

• Have the protection of the law

• Be able to use their chosen language or method of communication  

• Be heard

We will do this by actively pursuing and rigorously monitoring the safeguarding policy, which takes into account the safeguarding needs of all children, young people under the age of 18 years and vulnerable adults, taking part in church-centred and church-led activities.

We commit to

We at St. John`s adopt the principles set out in the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and are 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.

Report of Concerns and Incidents

All and any incidents must be reported directly to the Vicar or to the Safeguarding Person. They must not be discussed with anyone else. At no point must contact with a journalist or the media be made. 

Concerns must be reported to

Revd Lis Sparrow  01278 422540  revlisstjohnbridgwater@gmail.com

or Churchwarden Francine Hamlin 01278 238631

Or if you prefer someone outside St John’s

Diocesan Safeguarding Team Safeguarding, Diocese of Bath & Wells, Flourish House, Cathedral Park, Wells, Somerset BA5 1FD Ben Goodhind Diocesan Safeguarding Manager 01749 588917 ben.goodhind@bathwells.anglican.org (wider resources and contacts use this link) https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/parish-support/safeguarding/reporting-concerns-or-abuse/

Or if you prefer someone outside the Church of England

Somerset Council Safeguarding Team: 0300 123 2224

 This policy was updated in lines with House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ 2017, based on the Model Parish Safeguarding (01.08.18 v1) from Policy Parish Safeguarding Handbook and approved by the PCC on 6th November 2024

Signed by………E J Sparrow Vicar

Signed by……… F Hamlin Churchwarden

Signed by ………Angela Underwood Child Advocate

Signed by………Alan Underwood Vulnerable Adult Advocate

Signed by ……… Angela Underwood PCC Secretary.

It should be reviewed annually. The next review should be on or before 7th November 2025.