Safeguarding

St John’s is committed to promoting a safe environment for all children, young people, and adults who are involved in the life of the church, and to providing respectful pastoral care to all who may be vulnerable.

We are committed to ensuring the safe recruitment, training, support, and resourcing of all who undertake work with children, young people, and those who are vulnerable. And we will respond promptly to any safeguarding concerns or allegations that are reported and provide pastoral care for victims and survivors of abuse.

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 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.

Durham Diocese Safe-guarding policy can be found here: https://durhamdiocese.org/safeguarding-abuse-concerns/

Further information from the Church of England can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/promoting-safer-church-safeguarding

Reporting concerns:

If you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult has been harmed or is at risk of harm, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer (Janet Phillips) via the Contact form or Rector, Revd Barnaby Huish by phone 0191 374 1376 or email rector.smxg.sjnx@gmail.com

You can also contact the Durham Diocese Safeguarding Office:`
Beth Miller
beth@bethmillerisw.co.uk / beth.miller@durham.anglican.org
07968034075