The Parish of Sutton with Seaford
Safeguarding
The Parish takes very seriously the responsibility it has to safeguard the well being of children and adults at risk of abuse. We review our policies on an annual basis, all those working with or caring for those at risk are DBS checked and we undertake regular training.
Our Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Ruth Saunders, Safeguarding Co-ordinator
As part of our commitment to children and adults who may be at risk of abuse, the PCC has appointed a Safeguarding Co-ordinator.
If at any time you would like to contact someone about any concerns you may have, Ruth would be happy to speak to you. Call 0794 700 6895. You can also contact Childline on 0800 1111 at any time or the National Youth Advocacy Service on 0808 808 1001 www.nyas.net
Keeping Your Children Safe in Church
Our Parish Safeguarding Policy agreed by our PCC says:
- As members of this PCC we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members.
- We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
- We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops
- We will carefully select and train all those who work or volunteer in positions of trust. We will use the Disclosure and Barring Service, amongst other tools, to check the background of each person.
- We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.
- We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.
- We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.
- We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishop’s guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.
- We will review this policy annually and as part of this process will ensure that all our procedures, particularly in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service, are up to date.
This policy is reviewed on an annual basis. Last review 2023.
Help and Information
If you are a child and you need to talk to someone about things that are happening to you that you don’t like, please click here to visit the Childline website or call Childline on 0800 1111.
If you are an adult and you need to access support about something that is happening to you, please click on this link to find out how you can do that. Scroll down to find links to various support organisations for you to contact.
If you need to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, please click on this link.
If you need to report a safeguarding concern to the statutory authorities in East Sussex, please click on this link, click on the option on the left that most describes the situation you are concerned about, and follow the advice and further links you find there. Please remember to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as well once you have contacted the statutory authorities.
Useful further links
Diocese of Chichester Safeguarding
thirtyone:eight(formerly Churches Child Protection Advisory Service)
UK Government: Safeguarding Children
Church of England National Policy and Safeguarding Guidance: Promoting a Safer Church
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) to report online abuse or the way someone has been communicating online.
Internet Matters is a useful source of advice for parents looking for how to keep children safe online.