Safeguarding
If you need to talk to someone about a safeguarding issue you can contact:
Rev Canon Andrew Shipton Kath Davies
Vicar Parish Safeguarding Officer
(0191) 284 5540 07880 618911
Dee Matthews
Children's & Vulnerable Adults Advocate
(0191) 285 6494
Alternatively you may wish to contact Carol Butler Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: 07825 167016
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
If a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention, call the emergency services on 999
If you have a concern that a child or adult is or may be being abused, or that a church officer is or may be abusing a
child or adult:
1. Respond well to the victim/survivor, if it is a direct disclosure, to ensure they feel listened to and taken seriously.
Explain what will happen next and check out support requirements. They should be informed that their identity and
the identity of the respondent will be shared with key church officers,and may be shared with the statutory agencies if
there is any current risk to children or adults. The concern or allegation should not be shared with anyone other than
those who need to know (e.g. the statutory agencies and appropriate church officers.
2. EMERGENCY: If you believe a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm, contact the
emergency services on 999.
3. NON- EMERGENCY: Contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer or incumbent, in the first instance. They must then contact
the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSA).If neither are available, contact the DSA directly. If the concern arises in an
activity, discuss with the group/activity leader, who will contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer or incumbent.
4. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DSA within 24 hours.
5. If the PSO/incumbent or the DSA are not available within 24 hours, contact Children’s Social Care or Adult Social Care
and/or the police directly, if the concern is that a child or adult is being abused. Contact the Local Authority Designated
Officer (LADO)and/or police if the concern is that a church officer may be abusing a child or adult.
Advise the Parish Safeguarding Officer or incumbent as soon as possible that you have made a referral, they will advise
the DSA.
If in doubt don’t delay, seek advice from statutory agencies.
6. Do not contact the respondent r anyone who may be implicated in the allegation or disclosure, even if they would
normally be contacted as part of the procedure, until advice has been sought from the DSA or statutory agencies.
7. Record the details of the concern or allegation. Where it is not appropriate to take notes at the time (usually it will not
be), make a written record as soon as possible afterwards or before the end of the day. Record the time, date, location,
persons present and how the concern or allegation was received, e.g. by telephone, face to face conversation, letter,
etc. The record should include details of information provided to that person as well as the information received.
Always sign and date the record. Keep it factual. Pass on a copy to the DSA (and/or the PSO/incumbent). The records
should be kept secure and confidential..
8. If the concern is about a child or adult: The DSA will act in line with the House of Bishops’ guidance. They will offer
advice, support and guidance and help to make the required referrals. If there is a risk of harm, the concerns must be
reported to the statutory agencies within 24 hours of the DSA receiving the concerns. This would be Children’s or Adult
Social Care and/or the police.
There should be close communication between the DSA, PSO/incumbent until the situation is resolved. The
archdeacon should also be informed. If the concern is about a Church Officer:
9. The DSA will act in line with the House of Bishops’ guidance. They will offer advice, support and guidance and refer the
concerns to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and/or police within 24 hours. The DSA will now take over
the management of the safeguarding concern in conjunction with the core group (which will be convened within 48
hours) and statutory agencies. There may also be a requirement for parish representatives to attend a subsequent
core group(s). If there are doubts about the whether or not to make a referral and under what route, the DSA will seek
advice from the LADO.
Please note that the procedure is the same for non-recent abuse.
