Safeguarding

St Laurence and All Saints, Eastwood

Diocese of Chelmsford

1. Policy Statement

We at St. Laurence & All Saints, within the Diocese of Chelmsford, are committed to the safeguarding, care, and nurture of everyone within our church community — especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We affirm that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and we will do all that is reasonably possible to ensure a safe environment for all.

2. Our Commitments In all our activities and ministry, we will:

• Promote a safer church environment and culture.
• Safely recruit, support, and train all those with responsibility for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Respond to those who may pose a risk to others, with appropriate supervision and pastoral care.
• Cooperate fully with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, statutory authorities, and the Church of England’s safeguarding policies.

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All ordained and lay ministers
• PCC members and churchwardens
• Paid and unpaid staff and volunteers
• All church activities and ministries, both on and off-site

4. Key Roles and Responsibilities

Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)

• First point of contact for safeguarding concerns
• Liaises with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team
• Ensures safeguarding information is visible and accessible
• Maintains safeguarding records securely

Incumbent and PCC

• Ensure safeguarding is a standing agenda item at PCC meetings
• Oversee implementation and review of this policy
• Provide ongoing support to the PSO

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

• Offers advice, training, and support to parishes
• Leads on complex case management
• Maintains diocesan-wide safeguarding standards

5. Safer Recruitment

We follow the Church of England’s Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance, including:

• Role descriptions and risk assessments
• Application forms and interviews
• References and confidential declarations
• Enhanced DBS checks where appropriate
• Ongoing supervision and safeguarding training

6. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

All concerns, disclosures, or allegations must be:

• Taken seriously
• Reported immediately to the Parish Safeguarding Officer
• Referred without delay to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and, if necessary, statutory agencies (e.g., police or social services) Do not investigate the matter yourself. In an emergency or where someone is at immediate risk, call 999.

7. Pastoral Care and Support

We are committed to:

• Listening to and supporting survivors of abuse
• Providing pastoral care to those affected by safeguarding issues
• Supporting and managing those who may pose a risk, in line with House of Bishops' guidance and safeguarding agreements

8. Training All those working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults must complete:

• Basic Awareness safeguarding training
• Foundation level training (and Leadership where required)
• Refresher training every three years

9. Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

• All safeguarding records will be stored securely in accordance with data protection law.
• Information will be shared only with those who need to know, in the interests of safeguarding.
• All records will be kept in accordance with the Church of England’s guidance on safeguarding records.

10. Review and Implementation

• This policy will be reviewed annually by the PCC.
• The PSO and PCC will ensure it reflects current guidance from the Diocese of Chelmsford and the Church of England.
• The policy will be displayed publicly in church and available on the parish website.

11. Key Contacts

• Parish Safeguarding Officer: Clare Barber, 07877345298, stlaurence.safe@gmail.com
• Incumbent / Priest-in-Charge: Revd. Carolyn Madanat, 07925941249, rev.carolyn.madanat@gmail.com
• Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser:
• Website: https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding
• Safeguarding Team Email: safeguarding@chelmsford.anglican.org
• Emergency out-of-hours number: 01245 294 444

Safeguarding contact details for Southend Council Children’s Services:

• First Contact Team: Mon-Thurs: 9am-5.30pm. Friday: 9am-4.30pm 01702 215007
• Emergency Duty Team, Out of hours, 365 days a year 0845 606 1212
• Adult Services: Safeguarding Adults Helpline on 08452 66 66 63 National Helplines:
• Childline: 0800 1111
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 200 0247
• MACSAS (Ministers and clergy sexual abuse survivors): www.macsas.org.uk
• Mencap Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111
• VOICE UK (For people with learning disabilities who have experienced crime or abuse): 0808 802 8686
• StopItNow! (For anyone who may need help preventing abuse, even in themselves) : 0808 100 0900
• Women’s Aid (Seeking to end domestic violence against women and girls): www.womensaid.org.uk
• Samaritans: 116123

Approved by the PCC on: 23/03/2026

Review Date: March 2026

PCC Chair / Incumbent: Revd. Carolyn Madanat

Parish Safeguarding Officer: Miss. Clare Barber