In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding our churches 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 on 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 Bishop's 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, and 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. Our policies are in accordance with the Diocese of Norwich Safeguarding guidance, which is available here .

The PCC has appointed Bronwen Walton as its Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child or vulnerable adult please contact the PSO:  stmarymagsafeguarding@gmail.com (Tel: 07979 222543). 

If possible, please complete a safeguarding record form as soon as possible – these are found, with instructions for their use, in the Safeguarding folder at the back of the Church.

The Diocese of Norwich

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted on (01603) 882345 or safeguarding@dioceseofnorwich.org. The Diocese of Norwich Safeguarding adviser: sue.brice@ dioceseofnorwich.org.

Useful contact numbers:

Where a child or adult is at imminent risk call 999

NSPCC – 0808 800 5000

Childline – 0800 1111

Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900

NAPAC – 0808 801 0331

Samaritans – 116 123

Family Lives – 0808 800 2222

National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247

Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141

Local Authority number for the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub in relation to concerns for the safety of Children and Adults - 0344 800 8020