Safeguarding Communications
New role templates have been added to the Resources for Parish Safeguarding Officers page. They must be tailored to each churches particular situation.
The Autumn Newsletter is available for download here.
Derbyshire Safeguarding Adults Board have recently published their "Keeping Adults Safe" leaflet in Ukrainian.
A copy of the leaflet is available here if you would like to download it to share.
The English version of the leaflet, and more information on the services the Board provides can be found on their website.
Our Safeguarding strategy for 2022 - 2025 has been published. It sets out our aims as a team until 2025.
Please feel free to share it with your parish if you wish to do so.
It can be downloaded here [PDF].
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role in the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.
If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support.
You do not have need to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church.
Your information will not be shared without your consent, unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Safe Spaces can provide a range of help, including advocating with authorities and other agencies, giving emotional support, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding your needs and working together on individual support plans.
Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
LiveChat - via the Safe Spaces website
The Derbyshire Carers Association has put together a list of useful helplines for Carers and others should they need help and support over the festive period, which can be downloaded here. The details are also available on the Derbyshire Carers Association website
The 15th - 21st November 2021 is National Safeguarding Adults Week which is led by the ann craft trust who work to act against abuse.
In Derbyshire the Derbyshire Adults Safeguarding Board is supporting the week with the provision of a number of free webinars and events. They write in thier latest newsletter (which may be downloaded in full here)
"The week is an opportunity for us all to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues, facilitate conversations and share examples of best practice.
The theme of this year’s National Safeguarding Adults Week is ‘Creating Safer Cultures’. Promoting safer cultures is all about how organisations and individuals can take steps to minimise harm occurring in the first instance, whilst simultaneously ensuring correct policies and procedures are in place so that safeguarding concerns that are raised, are recognised and responded to effectively.
We are already planning our activities for the week, which include the launch of a new awareness-raising campaign, a special edition newsletter, social media posts, as well as some exciting webinar sessions on a variety of safeguarding topics. Please check our events page for the latest information.
We will be hosting the following FREE webinar sessions during National Safeguarding Adults Week, which are all aimed at front-line practitioners and managers across all our partner agencies working with adults who have care and support needs.
- Fire prevention and safeguarding (15 November 2021)
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and safeguarding adults (15 November 2021)
- Professional curiosity and the challenges of disguised compliance (16 November 2021)
- Modern slavery awareness (16 November 2021)
- Cyber awareness, fraud and scams (17 November 2021)
- Cuckooing and county lines (18 November 2021)
- Trauma-informed practice: safeguarding adults (19 November 2021)"
#safeguardingAdultsWeek
10 October is Safeguarding Sunday. It is a great opportunity to highlight that protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of the Christian message and to explore what safer places look like.
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop said recently:
"Whether churches can give just a few minutes or dedicate their whole service, Safeguarding Sunday is a really helpful and important way of focusing on all the work that goes on 365 days a year in our churches to make them safe places."
"From our children’s and young people’s activities to clubs for the elderly and foodbanks, our churches are involved in every community. Protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of the Christian message."
"Safeguarding Sunday is all about creating an opportunity for churches to show their communities that they take this responsibility seriously"
If you are interested in taking part, please visit the thirtyone:eight website where you can download free resources, including prayers and videos:
The latest Safeguarding Newsletter has just been sent to all Parish Safeguarding Officers. If you do not receive a copy and would like to read more about the work happening in Safeguarding in the Diocese and a little more about one of the safeguarding team you can download the newsletter here.
The 10th of September every year, this year Friday, is World Suicide Prevention Day. This is hosted by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). The theme for WSPD 2021-23 is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ and is a reminder there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us; that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.
The Samaritans latest newsletter which is avaialble here to download and read has information about some of the work they have engaged in across the UK to prevent suicide, and study the impact of of COVID-19 on suicide thoughts and attempts. Next time you see someone who may be struggling, what could you say to them? There is a great line and logo in the newletter - read on and see: Samaritans Advice Service Newletter
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Here is what the United Nations say…
[Elder abuse] is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community. … Although the extent of elder mistreatment is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious. As such, it demands a global multifaceted response, one which focuses on protecting the rights of older persons.
It is understood that more than a million older people experience abuse or neglect in the UK every year. Instances of abuse during lockdown have increased. Those who are particularly vulnerable may accept help from those who seek to exploit them, as they will be at risk without the safeguards offered by regular day-to-day contact with the outside world.
Both of our local Safeguarding Adults Board support WEAAD each year. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations. The County Board has produced a video presentation with help from 2 Derbyshire care homes, Ada Belfield in Belper and Rowthorne in Swanwick, whose staff and residents feature. The link to the video can be found here: https://www.derbyshiresab.org.uk/about-us/events.aspx
Please do your bit to raise awareness of the importance of recognising and reporting abuse and neglect of older people in our communities.
