Safeguarding

 

The Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers is committed to working in accordance with the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and adults who may be vulnerable, and Church of England policy and practice.

 

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Ringing activities across the Surrey Association is the responsibility of all participants.

 

What is safeguarding?

 

Safeguarding is about promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable, and keeping them safe from harm, such as illness, abuse or injury.

 

This includes taking all reasonable measures to create a framework where people are confident to undertake activities in which the risks of harm to the welfare of children and adults who are vulnerable are minimised; and, when there are concerns about their welfare, taking appropriate actions to address those concerns.

 

Safeguarding advice

 

Individual Tower Duties

 

Tower Captains and Secretaries should familiarise themselves with their own church Safeguarding practices and policies. This will be based on the relevant diocesan policy which explains that the Incumbent, Churchwardens and PCC of any parish have a legal and primary duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and practice guidance laid down across all areas of Church activities.

 

As part of this duty they will need to ensure that all relevant individuals have been recruited and appropriately vetted through the DBS checking process and participate in safeguarding training. Churches also have a duty to maintain a safe environment for all people in the Tower and elsewhere on Church premises alongside the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

 

It is important therefore that there is a good working relationship between the Tower Captain and Church officers as in practice, where ringing is concerned, this responsibility is discharged through the Tower Captain, together with any formal deputies.

 

Available to download below is a simple reminder of the Safeguarding Dos and Don’ts for your tower. We recommend that you download, print out, laminate and display on your Tower notice board and in doing so bring it to the attention of your Tower members.

 

Accessing Safeguarding Training

 

We do advise all officers within towers and the Association as a whole to make use of safeguarding training on offer from their Diocese. As a minimum this should include access to the online C1 training available from the Church of England website for any in a leadership role.

 

http://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-training-events/

 

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/training

 

Face to face safeguarding courses are also available – please visit the safeguarding training
pages of the Diocese of Southwark website at:

http://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-training-events/

 

Arranging Surrey Association events

 

Any event arranged and promoted as a Surrey Association event (e.g.: District and Association ringing meetings, striking competitions, tours, social activity) should be supported by a risk assessment which considers any safeguarding risks to children, young people and vulnerable adults. An example / template of a risk assessment tool is provided for your use and should be used to ensure that we create and maintain an environment which is safe for all and promotes well-being, prevents abuse and creates nurturing, caring conditions. In completing the risk assessment please consider:

 

• The number, age and abilities, vulnerability of those attending
• Physical Hazards (e.g. access, security)
• How the event will operate (e.g.: transporting participants, lone working, availability of leaders who are DBS checked, rules of engagement safeguarding awareness)
• The protection of personal information (i.e. data security, integrity and confidentiality - in line with GDPR regulations)

 

Securing parental consent

 

Parents of under 18's attending a Surrey Association ringing or social event must complete a PARENTAL CONSENT & EMERGENCY PERMISSION FORM. A copy of the form had been made available for you to download below.

 

Unless otherwise advised by the Parent / Guardian, the permission given by this form will remain valid for subsequent Events for 2 years from the date of initial consent. If any details change the Parent / Guardian must advise the appropriate Ringing Coordinator by filling in a replacement form.

 

NO CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON WILL BE PERMITTED TO TAKE PART IN AN EVENT UNLESS THIS CONSENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED OR UNLESS A PARENT IS IN ATTENDANCE.

 

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN

 

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or who presents a risk to others please seek advice from a safeguarding officer.  If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm please contact the Police on 101 without delay.

 

Safeguarding Officers include:

 

1. Your local Parish Safeguarding Officer or incumbent.

 

2. Susan Gibbin the Surrey Association Safeguarding lead at safeguarding@surreybellringers.org.uk

 

3. Southwark Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 020 7939 9423 (office hours) 07982 279713 (out
of hours for urgent matters).

 

Other advice available from the CCCBR: https://cccbr.org.uk/sm_safeguarding-dec2018-ver-2-0/

 

For Church of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance, please go to:

https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/policy-practice-guidance