SAFEGUARDING

The Church takes its obligations to protect Children and Vulnerable Adults very seriously.

Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Adults in the Church

This Policy was adopted by the Parish of St Dunstan’s, Mayfield and Five Ashes,
at a Parochial Church Council meeting held on 23rd January 2024.

As members of this PCC we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members.

1.  We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

2. We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops.

3. 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.

4. We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed. 

5. We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.

6. We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Guy Mantoura: Safeguarding Officer

📧  safeguardingofficer.stdunstans@gmail.com

If unavailable, please contact:

The Parish Office

☎ 01435 873484
📧 office.stdunstans@gmail.com

Colin Perkins : Safeguarding Advisor to the Diocese

☎ 01273 425792 
https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/contacttheteam/,

If you are a child…

and you need to talk about things that are happening to you that you don’t like, please click on the link below that takes you to the Childline website

http://www.childline.org.uk

Tel: 0800 1111

If you are an adult…

and you need to access support about something that is happening to you, please click on the link below to find out how you can do that. Scroll down to find links to various support organisations for you to contact.

https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/Ihavebeenabused/

If you need to report something

If you need to report a safeguarding concern to the statutory authorities in Sussex, please click on the link below

https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/whatdoidoif/

If you have any questions regarding safeguarding issues arising from any Parish activities please contact either Karen Dines directly or through the Parish Office.

We are pleased that St Dunstan’s has been awarded the SQP Level 1 from the Diocese of Chichester – please see below:

Certificate of Achievement Mayfield

Copies of the following Policies can be found in St Dunstan’s Church in the cupboard near to the main Door and in the Parish Office:

Safeguarding Policy
Whistleblowing Policy
Behaviour Code for Adults working with Children Policy
Parish E-Safety Policy
Responding to Safeguarding Allegations in the Parish Policy