The Parishes of Lesbury with Alnmouth, Longhoughton (including Boulmer) and Howick (collectively the Aln & Coastland Parishes) are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults and creating protective and supportive environments where all people, and especially those who may be vulnerable, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey in safety.

DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING TEAM

Carol Butler, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser   07825 167 016    c.butler@newcastle.anglican.org

Andrew Grant, Assistant Safeguarding Adviser  07741 633 670  a.grant@newcastle.anglican.org

Mark Bagnall, Safeguarding Training Officer                                     safeguardingtraining@newcastle.anglican.org

Ruth O'Hagan, Administrative Support Officer    0191 270 4100    r.o'hagan@newcastle.anglican.org

This statement has been adopted by each church in the Aln & Coastland Parishes and was last reviewed at a PCC meeting in March 2019.

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.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This policy is reviewed each year by each Parochial Church Council and re-affirmed at the Annual Meeting

Each parish has adopted and is working in line with the House of Bishops' Safeguarding policy "Promoting a Safer Church"  details can be found here  

Click Here for Parish Safeguarding Handbook.

For further information please go to the Diocese of Newcastle website

www.newcastle.anglican.org/safeguarding

and the Church of England Safeguarding Page 

www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding

Also a link to this leaflet ‘You will be listened to’.