SAFEGUARDING
Every person has a value and dignity that comes directly from the creation of humankind in God’s image and likeness. Christians see this as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. This implies a duty to value all people as having the Holy Spirit within them and, therefore, to protect them from harm.
If you have any safeguarding concerns, you must contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer Lucy Lorentzen on lucy@lorentzen.co.uk or 07944597181
If you cannot get hold of the Parish Safeguarding Officer, then please get in touch with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer Bev Huff on bev.huff@peterborough-diocese.org.uk or 01733 887 000
We are committed to the following principles:
safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults, care and nurture of the children within our church communities care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, children, young people and adults establishing safe, caring communities that provide a loving environment where there is a culture of vigilance about the dangers of abuse.
We will:
respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the church in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosure and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to proper authorities, of any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult follow statute, guidance and recognised good practice.
Please get in touch with the Pcc or Parish safeguarding officer should you need further details on our policies.
More information can be found on the Peterborough diocesan website; to be redirected, click here.
Training
Recognising that safeguarding is everyone’s concern at St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer, we ensure that our staff and volunteer teams attend training regularly according to Church of England guidelines. The first level of basic awareness is C0; this is a prerequisite to the next level of training (C1). We would encourage all members of our community to complete the training to understand the issues better.
BASIC AWARENESS (C0) training: Once you click on the link to the left, you will be asked to register and use the C0 Basic Awareness tab to access the 30-40 minute online training module.
Links to other organisations that you might find helpful in relating to safeguarding in the broader context and valuable links to online safety and information guides:
Peterborough Diocese Safeguarding Guidance
Northamptonshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
NSPCC Website & contact number 0808 800 5000
Childline Website & contact number for children 0800 1111
Kidscape 020 7823 5430
Mind website & information line 03001 233393
Action on Elder Abuse 08088 088141
Church of England National Safeguarding Guidance