PARISH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, MEADS, EASTBOURNE

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT, April 2025

 As members of this PCC we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops. 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.

We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed. We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community. We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have a pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.

We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishops’ guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.

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.

Our SAFEGUARDING OFFICER is:

JORJ KOWSZUN

safeguarding@stjm.org.uk  01323 738671         

                Our SAFEGUARDING LEAD RECRUITER is:

ANITA WILLIAMS

office@stjm.org.uk                   01323 738671

The DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING OFFICER is Colin Perkins:

01273 425030 or 07500 771210        colin.perkins@chichester.anglican.org

If you are worried about a vulnerable adult, please contact ADULT SOCIAL CARE EAST SUSSEX COUNCIL:

0345 6080191 (08.00-20.00 7 days a week, including bank holidays) or text 07797 878111

Out of hours emergencies: 0345 6080191 and select option 2

Health and Social Care Connect (formerly Social Care Direct)

St Mary’s House, 52 St Leonard’s Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3UU

Email: hscc@eastsussex.gov.uk

To report a concern about a child or teenager, in an emergency call 999, otherwise call the Single Point of Advice (SPoA) on 01323 464222 (Mon-Thurs 8.30-5, Fri 8.30-4.30). Out of hours, please contact the Emergency Duty Service on 01273 335905 or 335906 (also weekends and Bank Holidays).

PARENTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES:

Childline:                                          www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111

Kidscape (for help with bullying):    www.kidscape.org.uk  Parent Advice Line: 0300 1024481 (Mondays and Tuesdays 9.30-2.30)               WhatsApp: 07496 682785

The DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER has its own Safeguarding site:

Safeguarding Chichester