Safeguarding is a key priority in the life of the Church. Within our parish we reaffirm our commitment regularly.

If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers, whose contact details can be found lower on this page. We are part of the Gloucester Diocese you can find their safeguarding policy here.

Our parish Safeguarding officers are Roxy Nicholls - 07721 071378 and Mary Gould - 01452 419840

Our Diocesan Safeguarding officers are Brett Riches - 01452 835516 (07944 680320 out of hours) safeguarding@glosdioc.org.uk and Melanie Biscoe - 01452 835516 (07944 680320 out of hours) safeguarding@glosdioc.org.uk

St Mary DeCrypt

Operates within the legal framework of the Parish of Hempsted with St Mary de Lode and St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester

Parish of Hempsted with St Mary de Lode and St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester Policy on the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults

1. It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

2. The PCC recognises that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

3. The PCC seeks to promote respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.

4. The PCC seeks to promote the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.

5. The PCC commits itself to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.

6. The PCC commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.

7. The PCC will ensure that every appropriate position (staff, volunteers & Trustees) is recruited in line with national church and diocesan Safer Recruitment processes and then completes the appropriate level of safeguarding training.

8. The PCC will ensure that it complies with the rolling programme of DBS checks that are supported/administered by the diocese.

9. The PCC is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.

10. The PCC accepts the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement’ plus diocesan guidelines.

11. Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and any further guidelines established by the PCC. The PCC will promote these recommendations amongst the congregations. The PCC will ensure that the Rector, working with the Parish Safeguarding Officers, will be responsible on its behalf for implementing and monitoring the PCC policy.

The Annual Meeting has nominated ROXY NICHOLLS & MARY GOULD as Parish Safeguarding Officers.

This policy will be reviewed at the Annual Meeting. Safeguarding will remain a standing item on each PCC agenda. The Parish Safeguarding Officers will continue to meet with the Rector prior to each PCC meeting in order to share good practice and any concerns and to prepare its report to PCC.

Incumbent Nikki Arthy

Churchwarden Richard Lane

Churchwarden Ann Jennifer Simmonds

Date: 30 April 2023

Parish of Hempsted with St Mary de Lode and St Mary de Crypt, Gloucester Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Young People

1. The PCC accepts the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement.’

2. The PCC seeks to provide a caring, warm and consistent atmosphere and environment in which children and young people can develop and grow, and in which they can learn in safety. Children and young people will be treated as individuals and with equal concern.

3. The PCC recognises the following areas of work with children and young people: Messy Church, Youth Group, bell ringing, Children and Communion programme, Confirmation, serving and taking part in services, training of volunteers for Discover DeCrypt, workshops and concerts for Discover DeCrypt, children’s holiday clubs, Eco Church.

4. The Annual Meeting has elected ROXY NICHOLLS & MARY GOULD to be the Parish Safeguarding Officers to whom all concerns and cases of suspected or alleged abuse must be reported immediately.

5 The PCC:

I. Will ensure that everyone involved in the care of children and young people, whether through paid employment, volunteer roles or as Trustees, are personally made aware of the House of Bishops policy and the PCC policy.

II. Will ensure that completed personnel records are appropriately stored. All information on workers with children and young people will be kept locked away safely and confidentially in line with data protection legal requirements.

III. Will ensure that every appropriate position is recruited in line with national church and diocesan Safer Recruitment processes and that each person then completes the appropriate level safeguarding training.

IV. Will ensure that it complies with the rolling programme of DBS checks that are supported/administered by the diocese.

V. Will ensure everyone involved in working with children and young people are clear of the nature of the work they have agreed to do and the name of the person to whom they are responsible.

VI. Will ensure the Rector, working with the Parish Safeguarding Officers, will be responsible on the PCC’s behalf for implementing and monitoring the PCC’s policy.

VII. Will ensure that the PCC is regularly informed of the names of those who work with children and young people for parish records.

VIII. Will make adequate provision for insurance cover for all activities for children and young people in line with the House of Bishop’s guidance.

IX. Will make a copy of this policy available to all employees and volunteers of this church, and to parents/guardians.

X. Will ensure that any individual organisation renting/using its premises for activities involving children and young people is aware of its own individual responsibilities to have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place.

XI. Will ensure that any complaint made regarding a child or young person for whom we are responsible, who may have been harmed or is in significant danger, will be reported immediately and that we will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation into allegations concerning a member of the church community.

XII. Will inform the statutory agency of any suspected criminal offenders or concerns that we are made aware of in respect of our contact with children and young people, and will inform and work closely with Diocesan staff and all statutory agencies.

XIII. Will offer informed pastoral care to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse, and provide them with details of local and national support agencies.

XIV. Will work closely with the diocese to ensure that we effectively supervise and support any member of our church community known to have offended against a child.

XV. Will work closely with the diocese in ensuring appropriate people are trained and updated on good practice and changes in legislation.

XVI. Will ensure that a copy of this policy is displayed on the parish noticeboards alongside information from the national church plus a ChildLine poster.