The Parish of St Michael at the North Gate
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
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 front page of 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 Team 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.
• Inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if we use an alternative DBS Umbrella Body to APCS and if we receive
any DBS Disclosures that are not clear.
• 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.
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Penelope Warner
Churchwardens: Professor Andrew Spicer and Mr Matthew Lebus
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact: safeguarding@smng.org.uk
For more information and support, you can look at the Oxford Diocesan pages on Safeguarding.
Diocese of Oxford Safeguarding Team, Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GF