Safeguarding

Altcar Parsh Church - St Michael and All Angels Church

The parish of St Michael and All Angels Church Altcar takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and guidelines, and our Safeguarding Policy is reproduced below. You can find out more about the Church of England's national policies and procedures at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding

If you have any safeguarding concerns or issues on a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at http://www.liverpool.anglican.org/safeguarding

The Parish of St Michaels Chuch, Altcar

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 25th April 2022.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to, this policy was reviewed and approved without change by the PCC on 7th August 2023.

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.

This church appointed Sue Taylor as the Parish Safeguarding Officer at the time of approval in 2022 and the review in 2023 although this person has stood down on 12th May 2024, a replacement person is being sought and is to be updated here after the next PCC meeting.

Incumbent: Revd Mark Stanford

Churchwardens: Carol Kenyon, Liz Chestnut, David Hedges (Stepping Down) Shaun Ford (Interim Observer)

Date of this update: 8th July 2024

Current Diocesan Safeguarding Team:

Andy Holmes, DSA
07940 378139

andrew.holmes@liverpool.anglican.org

Mick Murphy, DSA
07376431466

michael.murphy@liverpool.anglican.org

Karen Williams, Assistant DSA
07946 189061

karen.williams@liverpool.anglican.org

Deborah Doran, Safeguarding Support and Training

Hours of work, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30 - 5:30 pm.