SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS AND INTERIM POLICY

If you have any concerns about a child, a young person or 

an adult who may be vulnerable, please contact:

Julie Bridges (children): 07814 023 913 ,

Sylvia Roberts (adults): 07771 655 789 

 Robert Thomson (Domestic Violence): 0797 712 5647, 

Alternatively, please contact the Bishop's Safeguarding  Adviser Steph Haynes:  07342 993 844

Domestic Abuse - Are You Worried about Someone?  

We at West Midlands Police understand that staying at home might be particularly difficult for some people.  Home is supposed to be the safest place for us all right now, but if you are experiencing domestic abuse then the advice to stay at home could be frightening. If you know someone whose family or partner is threatening them, controlling their behaviour or being violent, this is domestic abuse and we can help.

There are lots of types of domestic abuse.  Someone might be:

     Hurting someone

• Controlling their money or stopping access to it
  
• Controlling where they go, when and who you they talk to
  
• Making threats towards them or the people they care about
  
  

Right now, they might be taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation by:

Trying to stop someone leaving the house for fresh air or essentials (please use https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the current government advice on staying safe and who needs to isolate)

They might be trying to stop someone having contact with family and friends via phone, text or video messaging, all of which are safe to do - even if people have to self-isolate

None of this behaviour is okay.

Now more than ever we are being asked to look after one another. If you suspect a friend or family member is being abused please encourage them to get in contact.  
If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial 999 and we will get officers to them as soon as possible.

Domestic abuse can be reported to us using our website https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/. It’s easy to use and could be safer than calling.

Anyone can webchat our staff easily via the website for help and advice without having to talk to someone on the phone.

There’s also a list of local charities for anyone you think might need help here https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/domestic-abuse

Domestic abuse – lots of help still available
We have seen and heard how our communities are looking out for one another right now and it is sincerely heart-warming.
We know that some people are concerned about friends, family and neighbours who might be suffering domestic abuse – whether that is violence, being threatened or someone controlling their behaviour.
Victims of domestic abuse may well feel there is nowhere to turn to for help and nowhere to go right now if they want to leave an abusive relationship.
We have been talking to our partners, a range of charities that support domestic abuse victims and our local councils. Their message is that refuges are still open and accommodation, advice and support is still available for people who need help.
A list of organisations ready to help people in Birmingham are:
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid
0808 800 0028
www.bswaid.org

Birmingham Housing Options Hub:
0808 169 9604

Birmingham Council Housing
0121 303 7410 or 0121 303 2296/4806
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk

Adult Social Care
0121 303 1234 or 0121 675 4806

Children’s Social Care
0121 303 1888 or 0121 675 4806
A full list of regional charities can be found on our website:  https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/domestic-abuse

We also know that children often suffer in households where there is domestic abuse. If you are concerned about a child, you can get advice, Live Chat our staff and report abuse to us using this link - https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/child-abuse

Alternatively you can talk to the NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial 999 and we will get officers to them as soon as possible. If they cannot talk they can make a silent 999 call by typing 55 after the call is answered.
Domestic abuse can be reported to us using our website https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/. It’s easy to use and could be safer than calling.
Anyone can webchat our staff easily via the website for help and advice without having to talk to someone on the phone.
Together we are a community – let’s spread the message that no victim is alone.


They are not alone.
 

This policy statement on safeguarding children and adults in the Church was adopted by St Edburgha, Yardley at a Parochial Church Council meeting held on 12th November 2019.

The Parish Church Council of St Edburgha, Yardley recognises the need to safeguard the children, young people and adults in our care and guard against the possibility of any form of abuse of children, young people and adults by persons who may be acting in the name of our parish. We aim to create a safe environment for the nurture and development of children, young people and adults, in order for them to feel valued and confident to ask for support and help. We will create policies and procedures that uphold the importance of our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults entrusted to our care. A Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator will be appointed to ensure the implementation of this policy.

• We commit to providing a safe physical environment for work with children, young people and adults  
   
• We recognize that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
   
• As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.
   
• We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
   
• We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
   
• The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
   
• We commit to informing the whole church community about our safeguarding policy and procedures and recognise that it is the responsibility of each of us to prevent and report abuse that we discover or suspect
   
• We will ensure the children, young people and adults in our care know who they can talk to if they have any concerns
   
• We recognise our responsibility to always respond to and report abuse in whatever context, inside or outside the church environment and will always listen to and take seriously any child, young person or adult who reports that they have been abused
   
• We will always report allegations of abuse and concerns about a child, young person or an adult who is experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their, illness or disability in accordance with our procedures
   
• We will always report all allegations of abuse against Church Officers* to the appropriate statutory agency and to the Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser and co-operate with any investigation
   
• We will keep all records in relation to safeguarding concerns, allegations and the recruitment of volunteers and paid workers securely
   
• We commit to the safe recruitment of all new and current Church Officers* who have contact with children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their, illness or disability.
   
• We will assess all new and current Church Officer* roles and, in every case where the role is deemed to be eligible, apply for an appropriate level criminal record check every five years
   
• We commit to providing every Church Officer* with clear instructions and information in respect of their role, adequate resources and support and regular opportunities for review
   
• We will ensure that all Church Officers* working with children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk of abuse due to their age illness disability or are in a trusted role attend Church of England safeguarding training every three years
   
• We will inform the Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser, and ensure appropriate supervision, of anyone who is known to have offended against a child, young person or an adult at risk of abuse due to their age, illness or disability who attends activities organised by the Parish Church Council of St Edburgha, Yardley and will follow all recommendations of the Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser in this regard
   
• We require all hirers of our premises to have their own safeguarding policy and procedures, to provide us with an assurance that these are implemented and to provide us with a copy
   
• The parish adopts the policy and practice guidance of The Church of England and The Church of England – Birmingham
   
• The policy will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved
   
• We will review our safeguarding policy annually to ensure that it meets all current legislation, House of Bishop’s and The Church of England – Birmingham policies and practice guidance  
   
• Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.
   

This church appoints Julie Bridges to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies as the parish safeguarding co-ordinator.

This church appoints Julie Bridges as a lead parish identity verifier to process online Disclosure and Barring Service applications

Incumbent: Vacant

Churchwarden: Lorraine Newman

Churchwarden: Chris Daniels

Date 12th November 2019

* A ‘Church Officer’ is anyone appointed by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.

The parish should provide details of how the above policy statements will be implemented in the parish