MERIDIAN BENEFICE

Safeguarding Statement for Children and Vulnerable Adults

The Meridian Benefice – the parish churches of Bluntisham-cum-Earith, Colne and Holywell-cum-Needingworth – is committed to safeguarding all those who attend the worship and other activities that we offer. We follow the House of Bishops’ Policy, ‘Protecting All God’s Children’ (2010), and the Diocese of Ely Policy and Procedures (2011). We seek to create a culture where everyone is included, respected, listened to, and taken seriously. We accept the prime duty of care for children and vulnerable adults, and have appointed a safeguarding co-ordinator to ensure that what we do is informed by up-to-date policies and procedures from local and national authorities.

Our parish safeguarding officers are:

Bluntisham-cum-Earith: safeguarding.bluntisham@meridianbenefice.org.uk

Colne: Mr Robert Major safeguarding.colne@meridianbenefice.org.uk

Holywell-cum-Needingworth: Dr Carole Mills safeguarding.holywell@meridianbenefice.org.uk

Ely Diocesan safeguarding team : 01353 652747 (Duty phone) further contact details  www.elydiocese.org/safeguarding.php

If there is immediate risk or danger please contact the police on 999

We follow recommended safeguarding practice in recruiting, training and supporting our ordained and lay ministers, our employees and our volunteers. Recruitment includes Disclosure and Barring Service checks for those working regularly or substantially with children and/or vulnerable adults. Health and safety policies are in place and we have provided adequate insurance cover for all activities undertaken in the name of the parish. All those working on behalf of the parish have agreed to comply with the safeguarding policy and with the good practice guidelines for their work.

We respond without delay to any complaint that a child or vulnerable adult in our care may have been harmed by the behaviour of an employee or volunteer working on behalf of the church. We always seek advice on such matters from outside this church, and we will co-operate with statutory agencies during any enquiries they need to make into allegations against a member of the church community. During those enquiries we will do our best to ensure that those making an allegation, and those against whom an allegation is made, are supported appropriately.

We seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to any child or adult whose life has been affected by abuse, whether the abuse was recent or long ago. Where there is a current risk to vulnerable people that has not yet been brought to light, we support the person who has suffered abuse in taking information to the appropriate agencies.

This church wishes to welcome and support all members of its community. Those who have a history of offences against children or vulnerable adults, and/or who may pose a risk to them are offered a supportive agreement to help them take part in church life; they are supported pastorally, and boundaries are set to protect those who might be vulnerable within the church. Confidential safeguarding agreements are the responsibility of the Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser and the incumbent, who work together.

We regularly review and update our safeguarding policy, and we welcome comments from those using our services on how we could improve our awareness and safeguarding practices.

Download a copy of this statement

Parish safeguarding policies (click to download):

Bluntisham-cum-Earith

Colne

Holywell-cum-Needingworth

See also the Church of England’s policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’

Safe Spaces – A service for victims and

survivors of church-related abuse

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.

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Local authority children's safeguarding team:

Cambridgeshire: 0345 045 5203 – (8am to 6pm Mon – Fri) Outside office hours, emergency duty team 01733 234724.

Local authority adult social care team:

Cambridgeshire: 01733 747474 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) Outside office hours, emergency duty team 01733 234724

Organisations that offer information or help regarding safeguarding issues:

Childline: www.childline.org.uk/get-support/   0800 1111

Domestic abuse: www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/  Refuge telephone number 0808 2000 247