Safeguarding

Safeguarding

Our Parish Safeguarding Policies which follow the guidance of the Church of England Policies can be read in full here:

The Parish of St Mary’s (Bramall Lane) Sheffield.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held in January 2026

St Marys Church and Community Centre Safeguarding Policy is established in accordance with the Safeguarding guidance, definitions and policies of the House of Bishops of the Church of England in line with “Promoting a Safer Church”[1]

St Mary’s Church and Community Centre is committed to Safeguarding being an integral part of our work and ministry and all officers, post-holders, staff and volunteers must agree to abide by and work within the procedures and guidance set out in this policy.

The Policy has 6 overarching policy commitments to which all St Mary’s Church and Centre staff and volunteers are committed to :

– Promoting a safer environment and culture

– Safely recruiting and supporting all those with responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within St Mary’s.

– 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.

“Promoting A Safer Church” Action Plan found on the Parish Dashboard sets out how the policy is put into action and reviewed.

St Mary’s Church and Community Centre will:

• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent the PCC and the staff team to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the Church and Centre.
• Display in St Mary’s premises and on the website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer appropriate support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred, and signpost as appropriate to professional and specialist sources of advice and support.
• 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 annually by the PCC and Centre Trustees.

• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

This church appoints Revd Karen Cribb as the Parish Safeguarding Officer