Safeguarding in the Hermitage Team of Churches
Safeguarding in the Hermitage Team
The parishes that make up the Hermitage Benefice are committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk, to worship and grow in Christ safely.
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our benefice 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.
Promoting a Safer Church
Each church displays in their entrance porch or noticeboard a 'Promoting a Safer Church' which details the main contacts for that church who have been trained to deal with any issues that are brought to them. The poster looks like this:
Have a look out for it next time you visit and familarise yourselves with the contact details. They are here for you if you need them or know of someone who might.
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 one of the named Safeguarding Advisors below. Or, if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.
People you can talk to about keeping safe:
Team Rector
Revd Nicola Hulks
Email: rector@hermitage-team.org.uk
Tel: 01635 914995
Team Vicar
Revd Jen Green
Email: jen.green@hermitage-team.org.uk
Tel: 07361 236619
Benefice Safeguarding Officer
Richard Davies
Email: richard@diphda.co.uk
Tel: 07901 556270
St Mark's, Cold Ash Parish Safeguarding Officer
Alan Brown
Email: aat.brown@pm.me
Tel: 07764 740868
St Mary & St Nicholas, Compton Parish Safeguarding Officer
Geraldine Johnson
Tel: 01635 578669
St Mary's, East Isley Parish Safeguarding Officer
(vacant)
Please contact our Benefice Safeguarding Officer: Richard Davies 07901 556270
St Peter's & St Paul's, Yattendon & St Frideswide's, Frilsham Parish Safeguarding Officer
Ann Wheeler
Email: awheeler7@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 01635 201220
Holy Trinity, Hermitage Parish Safeguarding Officer
Bunmi Sowande
Email: bunmi@bunmisowande.com
Tel: 07950779957
St Mary the Virgin, Hampstead Norreys Parish Safeguarding Officer
Richard Davies
Email: richard@diphda.co.uk
Tel: 07901 556270
Diocese of Oxford Safeguarding Officer
Charlotte Wilmshurst
Email: charlotte.wilmshurst@oxford.anglican.org
Tel: 01865 208295
For urgent safeguarding enquiries outside of office hours (see below), please call our partners Thirty-one: eight on +44 (0) 303 003 1111 for confidential advice, guidance and support.
Other resources
If someone is in immediate danger
If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call emergency services on 999.
If there is no risk of immediate harm
If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, you must speak to an official about your concern as soon as possible, using the information below, or contacting your parish safeguarding officer.
West Berkshire Social Services
Children: 01635 503090 (between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am to 4:30pm on Friday)
01344 351 999 (outside of office hours)
Adults: 01635 519056 (between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am to 4:30pm on Friday)
01344 351999 (outside of office hours)
We also comply to the Safer Recruitment Policy and this is also signed and a copy is placed in each church.
The Parish Safeguarding Policy Document can be viewed here.
