Displaying the correct safeguarding information is essential to comply with the House of Bishops' guidance. The House of Bishops has instructed all churches to display a safeguarding statement on the homepage of their website and on their A Church Near You (ACNY) page.
Please ensure that the safeguarding information is correct and complete on sites. If you don't have a website, please just display on your ACNY page.
This excerpt from the Parish Safeguarding Handbook and model template are designed to make it easy for every parish to display the complete and correct information. Simply copy and paste, then add your local contact information.
The Parish Safeguarding Handbook states that parishes should display:
- A formal statement of adoption of the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement’. This should be signed on behalf of the PCC [The signed copy can be displayed on a church noticeboard]
- Contact details of the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), churchwarden, and any other local leaders
- Information about where to get help with child and adult safeguarding issues e.g. local authority contact details, domestic abuse and key helplines such as Childline.
Guidance on how to add safeguarding information to ACNY is available here and your Deanery Transformation Support Officer is available to help too.
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Model template
Safeguarding
At [church/parish name] we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.
We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact our safeguarding officer.
Parish Safeguarding Officer: [Name]
Email:
Phone (optional):
The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson, she can be contacted at safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org or at 0161 828 1465 / 07384 460958
Out of Hours Support
The Diocese of Manchester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.
This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service.
Helplines
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
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