Safeguarding & Policies
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Are you a survivor or victim of church related abuse?
Could you help the Diocese of Guildford to learn from the past and protect the future?
The Diocese of Guildford is currently reviewing all its records, across all 162 parishes, to ensure that all safeguarding concerns and allegations have been identified, reported, and appropriately actioned. Critical to this, is the voice of survivors and victims. The Diocese of Guildford wants to listen to and to learn from your experiences and ensure that your voices are heard throughout this review process.
Coming forward
Anybody who would like to
give information or make disclosures about church-related abuse is asked to contact
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Jackie Broadfoot (jackie.broadfoot@cofeguildford.org.uk
07918 559387).
Support is available
The Diocese recognises that coming forward may be extremely difficult and dedicated support has been set up for you. Two confidential listening services have been set up, for those people who have experienced church related abuse but who might want to talk through their experiences and feelings before taking any next step. To find out more about the support available click here.
Building the safest community we can
Bishop Andrew, Diocesan Bishop for the Diocese of Guildford explains why we are doing this: “It is important we do everything we can to make our churches the safest places they can be. Safe means different things to different people but this review will help us to ensure that the concerns reported to our churches have been dealt with properly, and the care taken and the support given is of the high quality that people rightly deserve. We have learnt from a previous review that that survivors and victims’ voices are critical, and I would urge you to come forward.”
Lone Working at St Michael’s - Policy Statement
This policy sets out the provisions for lone working. The PCC
discourages lone working and will avoid the need for employees to work alone
where reasonably practical, but recognises that in some circumstances it is
necessary. Where lone working is
necessary, either on a regular or occasional basis, the PCC will take all
reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees working
alone.
The PCC will also ensure that a formal health & safety risk assessment is carried out to identify the hazards and risks of lone working and to devise and implement safe working arrangements so that the risks are eliminated or adequately controlled, thus enabling lone workers to carry out their work in a safe environment.
The person conducting the lone working assessment will:
- involve the employee who is working alone in the assessment process and the development of safe working methods.
- advise the employee undertaking the lone working of the findings of the assessment; and maintain a file of all lone working risk assessments.
Lone Working Procedure <click here>
- Lone working can be safe, provided employees take the following basic precautionary measures: Ensure that another member of staff, preferably the churchwardens, are aware you are working alone, where you are, what you will be doing and what time you expect to finish.
- They will phone you during this time to check you are OK. Have contact numbers to hand for you to phone in case of emergency.
- Make sure you have some means of communication with you in the event of an emergency, make sure your mobile is charged and the office phones are working.
- There is a first aid box in the office and the kitchen.
- Exits are found in the office French window and through the main door.
- If in the church, exits are through the side door or main door or hall door.
- You should lock the door when on your own. This can be unlocked to admit expected or known persons.
- Comply with the guidance issued by the risk assessment.
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure your own safety.
- Inform the wardens as soon as possible of any incidents or concerns.
You can also read these important resources:
Parish Safeguarding Handbook 2019
Promoting a Safer Church - Church of England Safeguarding Policy
St Michael's Safeguarding Policy 2023
Digital Tools for our Parishes 2020
St Michael's Health & Safety Policy 2023
St Michael's Risk Assessment Template
