Safeguarding

The North Severnside Benefice takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We are committed to promoting a safe environment for all.

If you wish to share information or make a disclosure, you are encouraged to contact your Parish Safeguarding Officer

Parish Safeguarding Officers
The PCC appoints Parish Safeguarding Officers and supports the church leadership in forming and implementing our safeguarding policies and procedures. They are also the first port of call for safeguarding concerns or questions in the North Severnside Benefice.
Our parish safeguarding officers are:

Debbie Harries – St Mary’s Olveston with St John’s Aust e: oboe-debbie@live.co.uk tel: 07870 557961

Adults, Children and Young People at Risk

Judith Heybyrne, St John’s Elberton e: judith.heybyrne@gmail.com tel: 01454 616725
Adults, Children and Young People at Risk

FOR GENUINE SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS ONLY You can email or call the Parish Safeguarding Officers using their details above.

For all other queries or in an emergency, please contact the St Helen’s church office on 01454 415190. If there is an immediate risk or danger, please dial 999 and contact the Police without delay.

Alternatively, you can reach out to the Diocesan Safeguarding team safeguarding@bristoldiocese.org or tel: 0117 9060100

or call the South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Team:

Adults t: 01454 868007 Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm or
01454 615165 (Out of hours)
Children t: 01454 866000 Mon-Thurs 9 am-5 pm, Fri 9 am-4.30 pm or t: 01454 615165 (Out of hours)

Alternatively you can call or visit the national organisations detailed at the end of this page.

North Severnside Safeguarding Policy Statement

The Parochial Church Councils of:

• St Helen’s, Alveston
• St Mary’s, Olveston
• St John’s, Elberton
• St John’s, Aust

have adopted the House of Bishops’ policy:
“Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement”
(Signed by Rev David Moss, Incumbent)

We are committed to:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture
• Safely recruiting and supporting those in roles with responsibility for children and vulnerable adults
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
• Offering pastoral care to those affected by abuse or safeguarding concerns
• Responding appropriately to individuals who may pose a current risk

👉 Click here to view the North Severnside Benefice Safeguarding Policy

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Safeguarding and Volunteers

All volunteers working in church settings must be aware of safeguarding responsibilities.

We strongly encourage all volunteers to complete the Basic Awareness Module on the Church of England Training Portal.

• Duration: approx. 1 to 1.5 hours
• Content: A comprehensive introduction to safeguarding in a church context

Next steps:

1. Register and complete the online training.
2. Notify your local Parish Safeguarding Officer when completed.

This training provides the essential awareness needed to support a safe and confident environment for all.

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Further information can be found by calling or visiting these national websites:
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Safe Spaces England and Wales t: 0300 303 1056 Home – Safe Spaces England and Wales
•
The NSPCC t: 0808 800 5000 NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC
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Childline – 0800 1111
•
Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900 https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/
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NAPAC – 0808 801 0331 NAPAC – Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse
•
Samaritans – 116 123 Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
•
Family Lives – 0808 800 2222 Parenting and Family Support | Family Lives
•
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247