Safeguarding

What the safeguarding team does

Harbour Churches safeguarding team works for and on behalf of our Parochial Church Council Trustees. With the Trustees we are responsible for all volunteer recruitment, and the safety of people, places, structures, and all activities that happen within Harbour Churches. Harbour Churches is Simple Quality Protects (SQP) Level One accredited. The SQP risk assessment framework is applied to all Benefice activities, structures and people.

All of our volunteers and clergy members understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We have all completed Church of England safeguarding training, and where relevant have completed Disclosure and Baring Service checks.

Who the safeguarding team is and how to contact them

Harbour Churches safeguarding officers are Lois Smith | 07542 252063 and Victoria Ford-Coates | 07376 046 229.

You can email the safeguarding team via safeguarding@harbourchurches.org

Safeguarding Policy 2025-26 for the Parishes of West Wittering and Birdham with Itchenor

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 12^th June 2025 (Birdham and West Itchenor) and 18^th July 2025 (West Wittering)

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our churches are 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.

The Parishes will: 

• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have named Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) to work with the Incumbent and the PCC’s 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 parishes.
• 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.
• 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.

This Benefice appoints Lois Smith (07542 252063) and Victoria Ford-Coates (07376 046229) as the Parish Safeguarding Officers