01344 761050 St Sebastian's Church Office office@stsebastians.org.uk

Parish Safeguarding Policy

The following policy was agreed at St Sebastian’s Church, Wokingham Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 18th May 2023.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

  • Promoting a safer environment and culture.
  • Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
  • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
  • Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
  • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
  • Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

  • Create a safe and caring place for all.
  • Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
  • Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
  • Display in church premises and on the front page of the parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
  • Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
  • Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and statutory agencies immediately.
  • Offer support to victims / survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  • Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
  • Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
  • Inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Team if we use an alternative DBS Umbrella Body to APCS and if we receive any DBS Disclosures that contain information.
  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement

Every year the Parochial Church Council (PCC) agrees the Parish Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Statement, displaying a copy in parish buildings and forwarding a copy to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer for their records.

Parish Safeguarding Representatives

The PCC has appointed Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), who is responsible on behalf of the Incumbent and PCC for implementing the Parish and Diocesan policy in respect of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The PSO agrees to undertake the key responsibilities of the role, as outlined in the Diocesan Safeguarding Guide.

Safeguarding Disclosure Process For Children

Please see below:

Contacts

Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray

Parish Vicar

Helen Thompson

Lead Parish Safeguarding Officer

Mark Lee

Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer

Suman Shrestha

Children’s Advocate

Charlotte Wilmshurst

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Berkshire)

Local Authority Social Services:

    I

    Wokingham Borough Council Safeguarding Adult Partnership (adults)

    Emergency Duty Team (out of hours)

      01344 786543 (children)
      triage@wokinghham.gov.uk

      Emergency Duty Team (out of hours)

        01344 351999

        II

        Bracknell Forest Council Safeguarding (Adults)

        Children

        Emergency Duty Team (out of hours)

          01344 351999

          If there is immediate risk or danger, please contact Police:

          Phone 101

          Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505

          Calendar

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          12:00 pm 12pm Good Friday “Three Hours by... @ St Sebastian's Church
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          Mar 29 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
          12pm Good Friday "Three Hours by the Cross" @ St Sebastian's Church | England | United Kingdom
          This devotion was introduced into the Church of England in the nineteenth century.  The first hour is now sometimes incorporated into the structure of the second. It is a widespread custom for there not to[...]
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          6:00 pm 6pm Easter Saturday Vigil @ St Sebastian's Church
          6pm Easter Saturday Vigil @ St Sebastian's Church
          Mar 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
          6pm Easter Saturday Vigil @ St Sebastian's Church | England | United Kingdom
          The Vigil is probably the oldest feature of the Easter celebrations. From its earliest times, the Church would keep watch through the night and meditate on the mighty works of God. Christians would pray until[...]
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          8:00 am 8am Sunday Morning Worship @ St Sebastian's Church
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          Mar 31 @ 8:00 am – 8:45 am
          8am Sunday Morning Worship @ St Sebastian's Church | England | United Kingdom
          This service is held weekly at 8:00am on Sundays and 10:00am fortnightly on Wednesdays. Please check the Parish calendar for the latest services The service follows the Common Worship structure and is supported by the[...]
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          Mar 31 @ 10:00 am – 11:15 am
          10am Easter Sunday Word and Worship - He is Risen @ St Sebastian's Church | England | United Kingdom
          This is a non-Eucharistic Service celebrating the resurrection of Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. The informal structure, complemented by a Service Book and overhead projection of the service, reflects our love for Worship Hymns[...]
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          7:30 pm 7.30pm Prayer Meetings
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          8:00 am 8am Sunday Morning Worship @ St Sebastian's Church
          8am Sunday Morning Worship @ St Sebastian's Church
          Apr 7 @ 8:00 am – 8:45 am
          8am Sunday Morning Worship @ St Sebastian's Church | England | United Kingdom
          This service is held weekly at 8:00am on Sundays and 10:00am fortnightly on Wednesdays. Please check the Parish calendar for the latest services The service follows the Common Worship structure and is supported by the[...]

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          Location

          Crowthorne is located in the Royal County of Berkshire close to the Hampshire and Surrey Borders.

          The village of Crowthorne is split between the Unitary Authorities of Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council and even those who live in the Wokingham Borough will tell you that they actually live in Crowthorne. There are few retail facilities within the Parish a small parade of shops in the east...