Our Safeguarding Officer is: Mrs Gillian Lyne
Email: [email protected]
Our Recruiter and Verifier is: Mrs Jenny Page
Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Call 01865 208 295 or email [email protected] for urgent safeguarding concerns Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm and Fri 9am-4.30pm.
You can also contact your local officer for Berkshire:
Rebecca Kilpatrick 07443 700 159
At other times
For urgent safeguarding enquiries outside of operational hours, please call our partners Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111 for confidential advice, guidance and support.
Redlands Parish Safeguarding Policy
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 29 March 2022. In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
– Promoting a safer environment and culture.
– Safely recruiting and supporting all those 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.
In all these principles we will follow statute, guidance and recognised good practice.
The Parish will:
– Create a safe and caring place for all.
– Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC 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 parish.
– Display in church premises and on the Parish 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.
– Advise the Diocese which Registered Body we use to process applications for Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures.
– Advise the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser if we receive a Disclosure which is ‘blemished’ or ‘positive’.
– 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 annually.
– Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
Support for those who are homeless or in Need in Reading
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 10.00am to 2.00pm
Launchpad
The Stables
1A Merchants Place
Reading
RG1 1DT
Alternatively, call or email for advice from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Telephone: 0118 929 1111
Email: [email protected]
Housing
If you are at risk of becoming homeless, contact the Homeless Prevention Service at Reading Borough Council as soon as possible. They run drop in sessions at the Civic Offices from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Email [email protected] or call 0118 937 2165.
If you have an emergency out-of-hours, call 01344 786 512.
In an emergency
• Dial 999 for the ambulance, police and fire service.
• If you are at imminent risk of harming yourself, call the Samaritans on 116 123, present yourself to the emergency department at your nearest hospital or dial 999.
• If you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency, contact NHS Direct by dialling 111.
Children
• Raise concerns about a child by contacting Children’s Single Point of Access: 0118 937 3641
Domestic violence and sexual abuse
• Berkshire Women’s Aid: 0118 950 4003
• National Domestic Violence Helpline (run by Women’s Aid and Refuge): 0808 2000 247
• Childline: 0800 1111
• Rape Crisis: 0808 802999
• Respect (for perpetrators of abuse): 0845 122 8609
Drug and alcohol misuse
• Iris Reading: 0118 955 7333
• FRANK drugs helpline: 0300 123 6600
• Narcotics Anonymous: 0300 999 1212
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
LGBT+
• Switchboard (LGBT+ helpline):0300 330 0630
• Support U (Reading-based LGBT+help and support service): 0118 321 9111
Crime
• Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
• Victim Support: 08 08 16 89 111
• Police: 101 (999 in an emergency)
Debt
• StepChange: 0800 138 1111
• Reading Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB): 03444 111 306
• Frontline Debt Advice: 01189 569300
Health and wellbeing
• Mental Health Crisis Team: 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999
• NHS Direct: 111
• Silverline (aimed at people over 55): 0800 4 70 80 90
• Anxiety UK: 03444 775 774 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm)
• Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (Monday – Friday, 9am-6pm)
• C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably – for men): 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight every day of the year)
• Samaritans: 116 123