The Parish of Bursledon (St Paul’s Church & St Leonard’s Church) are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults.
We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).
The Diocese of Winchesters’ safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA.
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
Bursledon Parish Church recognises the potential danger for harm to children or vulnerable adults. We understand there are some who deliberately seek out groups or organisations where they can meet children or other vulnerable people.
Creating and maintaining a safeguarding culture within our churches will discourage them from becoming involved for the wrong reasons and make it difficult for them to cause harm.
In order to assist with the creation of a safeguarding culture, we have:
- Appointed a Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
- Adopted appropriate policies and committed to the following practise guidelines
*Bursledon Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement *The House of Bishops’ Safer Recruitment Policy
*The House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy
3. Taken out appropriate and up to date insurance
Bursledon Parish Church is insured for all activities undertaken in the name of the Parochial Church Council of Bursledon(PCC) by Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Bursledon Parish Church is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of our ministry and mission, promoting a safe culture and the welfare of every child, young person and adult. As such, the Church has robust policies, procedures and guidelines in place, to ensure good practice throughout all of our services and activities.
Bursledon Parish will:
- Promote a safer environment and culture
- Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility within the Church
- DBS check all volunteers who work with Children and/or Vulnerable adults
- Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
- Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
- Care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
- Respond to those that may pose a present risk to others
Reporting a concern
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding officer, or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.
Contacts available to speak to if you have any concerns.
- Emily Aston, Parish Safeguarding Officer email: safeguarding@bursledonparish.org
- John Pawson, Vicar of Bursledon Tel 07775 750983 email: john.pawson@bursledonparish.org
- Jackie Rowlands, Diocesan Safeguarding Manager Tel 01962 737317 email: safeguarding@winchesterdiocese.org
Other organizations and helplines available.
Police 101 ( or 999 if someone is in immediate danger)
Hampshire Childrens Services 0300 555 1384
Hampshire Adult Services on 0300 555 1386 (out of hours 0300 555 1373)
NSPCC tel 0808 800 5000
National Domestic Violence helpline 0808 2000 247
Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141
Samaritans 116 123
Safer Recruitment
We know that Safer Recruitment and People Management is an integral part of keeping people safe in our Churches. But what does this mean in practice? This short video features people on the ground talking in their own words about their experiences with Safer Recruitment and People Management – why it’s important to them and how they have gone about implementing the new House of Bishop’s Safer Recruitment & People Management Guidance. The video also features a survivor’s perspective on why this is important. If you are affected by this reflection, you can contact Safe Spaces.
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.