Safeguarding

The PCC of the Benefice of Frensham is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the vulnerable within our church community, and also to encouraging an environment where all people and especially those who may be vulnerable are able to worship and pursue their faith journey in a safe way.

We are also committed to the implementation of the Diocese of Guildford Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. Each year the PCC will review and adopt the Church of England Safeguarding Policies, displaying a copy of the signed statement in a prominent position in the churches. You can view this policy here.

This page contains information about safeguarding in the Parish of Frensham. It is primarily a place where those in the parish can find links to the necessary people of organisations.

Reporting a concern

To report a safeguarding concern, you can contact any of the following:

Local

Frensham Parish

Diocese

Guildford Safeguarding Team safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk 01483 790379

Notes

Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Please note messages are not routinely checked during evenings or weekends
If you believe a child or adult is at immediate risk of harm, please contact the police on 999

Above information obtained from:

https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/safeguarding

County

Surrey County Council

The Emergency Duty Team provides an emergency social work service for urgent situations which arise out of normal office hours, and which cannot be left with an appropriate degree of safety until the next normal working day.

The Emergency Duty Team service is not intended as an alternative means of accessing the usual daily activities of Surrey County Council.

The team operates outside of normal office hours.

Monday to Friday 5pm to 9am
Weekends 24 hours a day

The EDT also operates throughout all bank holiday periods

Tel: 01483 517898
Fax: 01483 517895
SMS number: 07800000388 (for deaf and hard of hearing callers online)
To make a call via text direct, please dial 18001 01483 517898
Email: edt.ssd@surreycc.gov.uk

Above information obtained from:

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/adults/care-and-support/contact/out-of-hours-social-care-contacts

Hampshire County Council

Support may entail recording information for the benefit of involved teams, responding to safeguarding concerns, giving information and advice, or providing fuller assessment and casework.

The immediate priority is to keep people safe until daytime operations resume.

The Out of Hours service (OOH) is based in Fareham, Hampshire and covers:

Adults, Children's and Mental Health Services for Hampshire County Council
Adult and Children’s Services for Portsmouth City Council
Children's Services for the Isle of Wight Council
Adult Services for Southampton City Council

OOH is co-located with Hampshire Constabulary’s Central Referral Unit.

During peak hours (evenings and weekend days) the team consists of 3 service advisors who take the calls and process referrals for the service.

Working with the team there is:1 Duty Manager, 1 Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), 2 Child Care Social Workers, 2 Adults Social Workers and 2 Child Care Social Work Assistants.

At non-peak times (overnight) the team is 1 AMHP and 1 Childcare professional with a manager on call.

The service runs from

5.00pm to 8.30am on weekdays
4.30pm on Friday to 8.30am on Monday
24-hour cover on Bank Holidays

Phone 0300 555 1373 (public and professionals)
Text 07565 205102 (hard of hearing/deaf clients only)

Above information obtained from:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/childprotection/outofhours

Concerns regarding children

You can raise a concern about a child with the NSPCC or, if you are a child yourself, you can contact Childline - contact details for both of which are on the NSPCC website and then choose ‘Helpline’ from the menu in the grey bar at the top of the page.

Reporting concerns relating to Church schools

Local Authorities (LAs) maintain statutory responsibility for ensuring the protection of the children within their area.

So, in a school context, where there is concern over a child protection matter, or when a ‘disclosure’ has been made, diocesan schools must contact their LA.

For any matter involving a member of staff, the LA is alerted, but in addition, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk) and Alex Tear, the Diocesan Director of Education should also be contacted.

Support for survivors

If you are looking through this page it might be because something has happened to you, you are struggling and looking for support, or because you want to help someone close to you.

Seeking support when you are struggling or thinking about speaking out about any kind of abuse, can often raise all kinds of emotions.

There may be many reasons why you have not spoken out before. It can feel overwhelming and frightening, but it can also be the first step towards support, healing, and recovery.

You are not to blame for what happened to you.

You will be heard, supported and have your concerns taken seriously no matter how recent or long ago and regardless of where the abuse took place.

It is your choice who you share your experience with. Within your local church or Parish, you may wish to speak to Vicar, Jane or your Parish Safeguarding Officer.

You may choose instead to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team or one of the organisations listed below.

Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, the Catholic Church of England and Wales or the Church in Wales.

"Our service is for people who have experienced any kind of abuse – this includes (but is not limited to) sexual violence, inappropriate sexual behaviour, physical abuse, financial abuse or exploitation, psychological abuse (including spiritual abuse), domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour and so-called conversion therapy.

We can help you to process and understand the impact that any abuse has had on you and those around you."

For further information, please visit https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/survivor-support