Support to Parishes Heather Bland DSA 1

Support to Parishes What we are doing

Support to Parishes Continued uploading of information to website Workshops for PSRs – one in each archdeaconry Provision of advice to clergy and PSRs and others on proactive safeguarding questions

Support to Parishes Provision of advice, information, guidance and direction where there are concerns about people in vulnerable groups; On the end of a phone! Payment of all admin costs related to DBS processing by APCS.

Support to Parishes Making sure that agreements with those attending churches known to be a risk to children and / or adults are well managed and regularly reviewed; Take the lead when allegations are made against clergy or church officers

Support to Parishes Carry out risk assessments in conjunction with parishes when blemished DBS certificates are received. Delivery of training. Maintain a central record of concerns.

Support to Parishes Act as the link between the parish and the police/social service in cases involving clergy / church officers

Challenges Moving targets Lack of resource – particularly admin, training and my part time hours Delivering sufficient training to ensure we are keeping up with demand Size of diocese and amount of time spent travelling

Challenges Increasing numbers of sex offenders wishing to worship in our churches requiring worship agreements. Resistance in some quarters to new processes – not many but still some.

Challenges A lack of understanding (still) in some quarters about what safeguarding is, why we do it and why we have to do it.