Highfield Church is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community.
Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Referral Procedures
If someone discloses information to you:
- be calm
- listen and don’t make comments or judgements
- never promise confidentiality, tell them you may have to share any information
- do not ask leading questions, investigate it, discuss it with anyone else or ignore it
- reassure them that speaking up was right
- tell them what you will do next
- contact a designated person listed below
If you consider someone to be in real and immediate danger then you must call
- the police on 101 or, in an emergency, 999
- Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub 023 8083 3336 / out of hours 023 8023 3344
then inform a designated person (details below) within 24 hours.
Designated Persons
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Rachele Newman, safeguarding@highfield.church or 07723 461604
Vicar: Mike Archer, vicar@highfield.church or 07595 333881
or, failing the above, Church Wardens: Phil Hewitt & Becky Proctor, wardens@highfield.church or 023 8055 8234
Diocesan Safeguarding Manager: Jackie Rowlands, 01962 737317 or 07921 865374
Training
Under Diocesan guidelines we check that all volunteers involved with children or potentially vulnerable adults have DBS clearance, and this is re-checked every 3 years. If you are hoping to join a team that requires you to undergo a check, you will need to complete a DBS application before getting invovled.
Following changes in the National Church Safeguarding Policy the Diocese has implemented a new programme of Safeguarding training courses. All the training follows the national standard as issued by Church of England training team and is transferable, so if you move to another Diocese or role this training will be valid.
Policy & Resources
House of Bishops' Safer Environment and Activities' Guidance
