Safeguarding at Saint Wilfrid Church

PCC Safeguarding Policy Statement

As members of the Parochial Church Council of St. Wilfrid’s church we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

  • We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidelines issued by the House of Bishops. See ‘Promoting a Safer church’.

  • We will carefully select and train all those who work or volunteer in positions of trust. We will use the Disclosure and Barring Service, amongst other tools to check the background of each person.

  • We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed.

  • We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.

  • We will ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.

  • We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishop’s guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.

  • We will review this policy annually and as part of this process will ensure that all our procedures, particularly in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service, are up to date.

To confidentially report a concern, please click the button below. The form will then be sent directly to the Safeguarding Officer.

Safeguarding Contacts

Saint Wilfrid church has two appointed Church/Parish Safeguarding Officers (C/PSO): Lara Mills and Sue Manning.

Our Safeguarding Officers are the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult.

Parish Safeguarding Officer

Lara Mills and Sue Manning

safeguarding@saintwilfrid.church

01243 841275

Other Key Church Contacts

Rochelle Elwood (Lead Recruiter)

Joel Mennie (Vicar)

Jayne Tudor Price (Church Warden)

Dave Holden (Church Warden)

All of the above can be reached via hello@saintwilfrid.church or 01243 841275

If you would prefer to speak to someone outside the church

If you would prefer to speak to someone outside the Church you can speak to the Diocesan team on 01273 421021, or visit https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/

If you are worried that a child or adult is at risk of significant harm and you can’t contact Saint Wilfrids Safeguarding Officer then you can report your concern to West Sussex County Council.

Further Guidance

Further guidance can be found in the National Church’s Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance. 

The National Church’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook provides further advice on responding to concerns.