Statement from Bishop Richard
We seek to help people become disciples of Christ, that through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit they will come to know how deeply God loves them. That is why we think good safeguarding practice is at the heart of our mission. We uphold the policies and practice for Safeguarding within the Church of England across every one of our churches and schools. We want to ensure they are adopted and implemented across every part of the Church so it can be a safe place for everyone. In our diocese, we are committed to putting things right when they go wrong. We put survivors first, strive to care for any who have been harmed and follow the best possible practice. We work with all statutory and other authorities to deal effectively with any disclosures of harm, contemporary or historic. We seek to learn the lessons from every situation to make our churches and schools a safer place for all. A good culture of safeguarding is essential in all we do. I pray you will find these resources helpful as we all work to support and uphold these values and practices. Thank you for all you do to sustain the life of our diocese in this as in so many other areas of our common life.
Welcome to the Safeguarding e-Manual. This resource has been created to help everyone involved in church life play their part in creating safer churches.
Inside, you will find guidance on raising concerns, responding to victims and survivors, safer recruitment, training and learning resources, and other key safeguarding information. Whether you are clergy, a Parish Safeguarding Officer, a church officer, or a member of staff, the e-Manual is here to support you.
If you cannot find what you need or would like further advice, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. We are always happy to help.
A guide to reporting safeguarding concerns with advice on what to do.
Guidance for PCCs and Parish Safeguarding Officers on managing safeguarding responsibilities.
Information on required CofE safeguarding training, who needs to complete it and how to access learning.
Guidance and information on managing safeguarding responsibilities for church staff and volunteers.
Resources to help parishes understand and follow CofE safeguarding requirements and best practice.
Informaiton including how to access help, report concerns, and connect with specialist support services.
Information about the CofE’s Redress Scheme, which offers support for survivors of Church-related abuse.
Details of safeguarding audits, reviews and assessments undertaken by the Diocese.
Learn how safeguarding is managed across the Diocese, including strategic planning and key policies.
Contact details for services that can provide safeguarding advice, report concerns, or offer support.
Answers to common safeguarding questions and safeguarding processes within the Diocese.
Guidance on creating safer activities through effective risk assessments with practical tools.