Safeguarding
Holy Trinity is committed to promoting a safer church environment and culture.
We take everyone's welfare and protection seriously and all our staff and volunteers are DBS-checked.
Safeguarding Officers
The Safeguarding Officer for Holy Trinity is John Duncan.
If you would like to talk to John about any safeguarding concern please contact him at johnbcduncan@hotmail.com and / or htw.safeguarding@gmail.com or by phone on 023 8044 2852.
The Safeguarding Officer for the Diocese of Winchester is Jackie Rowlands.
You can contact her at safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org or phone 019 6273 7317.
If neither Safeguarding Officer is available and you need immediate advice or help Monday to Friday 6pm - 8am, or on a weekend or bank holidays, please call the Southampton Children's Social Care out of hours service on: 023 8083 3336.
You can also report concerns online to Southampton Children's Service by clicking here.
For all emergency situations, contact the police on 999.
Other helpful information
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt by our not being able to immediately assist you. Therefore here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 ( free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
- The National Safeguarding Team: safeguarding@churchofengland.org
The Parish of Weston (Holy Trinity) Safeguarding Policy Statement
The following policy statement was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 15th May 2019:
This parochial church council has adopted the Church of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance, namely the House of Bishops’ Promoting a Safer Church policy.
In particular 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 Manager (DSM) and/or statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Following advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, support and manage the safe involvement of 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 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 or volunteers within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints John Duncan as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
Vicar: Daron Medway
Warden(s): Tim de la Cour
A prayer for our church and all who worship with us
Loving God,
we pray that this church may be a place of welcome,
security and compassion.
Keep us watchful yet caring,
trusting yet ready to question,
that all who worship here may do so
in safety and in the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Other useful information (downloads):
Parish Safeguarding Handbook (Diocese of Winchester)