Safeguarding

Reading Gateway Church is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk to worship and grow in Christ safely. This is done in a coordinated and supported manner and involves Church Safeguarding Officer, the Leadership Team, and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Concerns about children, young people and adults at risk will be diligently and promptly responded to according to our procedures, recognising the sensitivity it may hold for those involved.

The PCC of this church has adopted the Church of England Safeguarding Policy and our procedures and training of leaders and volunteers are reviewed on an annual basis. Staff and volunteers working with children, young people or vulnerable adults are DBS checked and have undergone training for their role.

Any concerns or queries can be submitted to besafe@readinggateway.church

Safeguarding Policy

Conventions Used

• The Parish is inclusive of all sections of the Parish organisation
• Staff encompasses all workers, paid, unpaid, contractors or volunteers, working for the Parish.
• PCC is the Parochial Church Council, the statutory committee of the parish. Legally the PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the parish and the maintenance of its assets.

General Statement of Policy

All Parish Staff are fully committed to:

• The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all Staff with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed periodically.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Protection Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

This Policy was formally approved and implemented by the PCC in March 2020

Safeguarding Officer:

If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult please contact our parish safeguarding officer

E: besafe@readinggateway.church

What to do if you have a safeguarding concern

If someone is in immediate danger

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call emergency services on 999.

If there is no risk of immediate harm

If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, you must speak to an official about your concern as soon as possible. When first reporting a concern, please be sure to make contact using the information shown below.

Outside office hours

For urgent safeguarding enquiries outside of office hours (see below), please call our partners Thirty-one: eight on +44 (0) 303 003 1111 for confidential advice, guidance and support.

During office hours

Call 01865 208 295 or email safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org for urgent safeguarding concerns Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm.

You can also contact our area safeguarding adviser directly if you prefer: Charlotte Wilmshurst: 07443 700159