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Safeguarding

In the first instance please click here for the Church of England’s work on Promoting a Safer Church and here for Diocesan Safeguarding Contacts – please note that St Martin’s Church, Guernsey is part of the Diocese of Salisbury.

We take seriously our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and have a Safeguarding Officer and Safeguarding Policy that we work to.

  • We aim to provide a safe and caring environment for all we come into contact with particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.
  • We are committed to the implementation of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook policy and the relevant statutory legislation and guidance for the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
  • We will ensure that all those who are authorised to work with vulnerable groups are appointed according to diocesan safer recruitment guidelines. We will exercise proper care in selection, appointment, training and support including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
  • We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social services in any investigation.
  • We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in authority.
  • We will have internal processes in place to support proper reporting of concerns, and ensure that staff and volunteers are aware of what to do if they have a concern.
  • We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support.
  • We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church.

Our Safeguarding Officer, Joe Langlois (safeguarding@stmartinschurch.gg), is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or adult with vulnerability.

Please click here for contact information for the Church Wardens. Please click here for Guernsey Guidelines.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN

In a Safeguarding emergency the local Police http://www.guernsey.police.uk/ or the relevant team within the States of Guernsey Committee for Health and Social Care should be contacted. Main details as follows:

Children and Young People - Islands Safeguarding Children’s Partnership  http://iscp.gg/

Adults www.gov.gg/Adult-Safeguarding

All other safeguarding concerns within a parish should be brought to the attention of the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) or local parish clergy in the first instance.  They can then seek further guidance from the Diocese of Salisbury Safeguarding Team and refer to statutory agencies if necessary.

If your concern relates to the PSO or your local member of clergy, please contact the Salisbury Diocesan Safeguarding Team directly.  There may also be occasions where someone has a safeguarding concern but does not want to discuss this within the local setting.  If this is the case, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can again be contacted directly. 

The team can be contacted via email at safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org or by phone on 01722 438651.  Contact via email is encouraged as this will generate the quickest response, due to this team often working online.

Mr Jem (Jeremy) Carter, from the Diocesan Team has lead responsibility for Guernsey related Safeguarding business.  

To contact Jem directly by email on jem.carter@salisbury.anglican.org.  He is also available via phone during his working hours on 07469 857888 (Tues-Fri inclusive 9-5).  An on-line discussion can be arranged if necessary.  In his absence, you should speak to one of the other Team members, who will have full access to Safeguarding case records.

 

Out of hours/bank holidays:

From 5pm on Friday, weekend cover is provided by 31:8, an external Safeguarding consultancy commissioned by the Diocese.  They also cover bank holidays.  Their usual operating hours are 9am until 10pm (anything outside of these hours is likely to be a Safeguarding emergency).

 31:8’s contact number is 0303 003 1111.  Contact with 31:8 automatically generates a notification to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, who will follow up with you on their return.

Again, out of hours, if the matter is urgent the local Police http://www.guernsey.police.uk/ or the relevant team within the States of Guernsey Committee for Health and Social Care should be contacted.

 Independent support for Victims and Survivors of Church related abuse can be obtained from Safe Spaces – details of which can be found here: Home - Safe Spaces England and Wales

 

Further Information

More information about the Church of England’s commitment to safeguarding can be found here.

For information about the Guernsey Police Public Protection Unit, click here.

If you are concerned about a child in Guernsey or Alderney, contact the Islands Safeguarding Children Partnership.