Good safeguarding practice is at the heart of our mission. We uphold the policies and practice for Safeguarding within the Church of England across every one of our churches and schools. We want to ensure they are adopted and implemented across every part of the Church so it can be a safe place for everyone.
In the diocese of Hereford – of which The Priory is a part – we are committed to putting things right when they go wrong. We put survivors first, strive to care for any who have been harmed and follow the best possible practice. We work with all statutory and other authorities to deal effectively with any disclosures of harm, contemporary or historic. We seek to learn the lessons from every situation to make our churches and schools a safer place for all. A good culture of safeguarding is essential in all we do.
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please contact Ceri Hibbert on 07754 559043 or safeguarding@leominsterpriory.org.uk
The Diocese of Hereford Safeguarding Officer is Carl Steventon and he can be contacted on 07593817717.
For any non-urgent safeguarding inquiries or in the event of Carl being unavailable please contact the Diocesan Office on 01432 373300
The welfare of the vulnerable person – child or adult – must always be held paramount, no matter how uncomfortable that may be because only in that way, can we create a space that is safe for everyone.
What should you do if you have concerns or suspicions about the welfare of a child or adult?
You may have concerns about the welfare of a child or adult, or suspicions about the behaviour of an adult.
- In an emergency, call the emergency services on 999
- Other non-urgent contact numbers are on the next page: Safeguarding Team
- Otherwise, consult the person to whom you are responsible to. Decide together whether to seek advice or make an immediate referral to the police or children/adult services.
- Always contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer and notify them.
- Keep a record of what has happened, your concerns and your actions.
- Only share with others who need to know.
Advise the diocese on all safeguarding matters when there are concerns about harm to children or adults who may be vulnerable, or when allegations or observations of abuse have been made.
Confidential information can be shared if –
- You have consent from the person
Or
You can share information without consent if –
- a child or adult is at risk of significant harm
- prevention, detection or prosecution of a serious crime is prejudiced
- withholding information would lead to an unjustified delay in making enquiries about allegations of significant harm.
Extended confidentiality – for example, you ask the person if you can speak to the DSA, as uncertain if this is something that should be passed on.
