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... it's everyone's responsibility

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Safeguarding Training

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A healthy Christian community is one which ensures and nurtures the wellbeing of all. Safeguarding needs to be embedded in all aspects of the life and ministry of the Church, and safeguarding training and development at the Church in Wales is delivered in this context.

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Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

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The Response of the Church in Wales to the Recommendations in the Investigation Report (October 2020) of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse into Safeguarding in the Church of England and the Church in Wales:Working Together for a Safer Church (PDF)

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Christian people are called to live as disciples of Jesus Christ which means that they should treat, respect and protect the vulnerable as he would. Jesus frequently spoke about the need to protect and care for children, reminding others that anyone who caused harm and suffering to such innocent ones deserved condemnation. He also sought out, cared for and ministered to adults who were vulnerable for one reason or another. Individual Christians and the Church as an institution are called to mirror these same qualities and to live by these very same principles.For these reasons, the Church in Wales is fully committed to ensuring the highest standards of behaviour in its work with both children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty to protect all such individuals who are members of the Church, and others who, for whatever reason, come to us, and our churches must be safe places where they are never exploited or harmed in any way whatsoever. We have to exercise vigilance so as to ensure that our work with them provides the level of care and protection which they have a right to expect.This work is underpinned by our safeguarding policy, a living document which will be regularly refreshed and updated as needs arise and sets out a framework and guidance for all who exercise a ministry with the young and the vulnerable.I hope that it will enable the work of all those involved in safeguarding across the Church in Wales to exercise a loving, caring and supportive responsibility in this vital area of church life.Archbishop of WalesProvincial Safeguarding PolicyTo download a copy of the Church in Wales Safeguarding Policy or the Policy Poster please visit:Safeguarding Documents

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Safe Spaces

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Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.You can contact the Safe Spaces team by:Web: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.ukTel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.ukSafe Spaces NewsletterSafe Spaces Issue 1 (PDF)Safe Spaces Issue 2 (PDF)Safe Spaces leaflets and postersSafe Spaces poster (PDF)Safe Spaces tear off poster (PDF)Safe Spaces A5 leaflet (PDF)Safe Spaces 3-way leaflet (PDF)

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Safeguarding

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Safeguarding means preventing harm to children and adults at risk by protecting them from abuse or neglect.The Church in Wales is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of its life, mission and ministry.The Church in Wales will:promote the wellbeing of children and adults at riskraise awareness of safeguarding within the Churchwork to prevent abuse or harm from occurringseek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused.Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.Welcome to the Church in Wales Provincial Safeguarding TeamThe Provincial Safeguarding Team can be contacted for advice and support in relation to safeguarding concerns within the Church in Wales and for questions relating to safeguarding policy and procedures.If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention, please call the emergency services now on 999 – DO NOT DELAY.If you think that a child or adult is at risk of harm but is not in immediate danger, please call the local authority social services department.Provincial Safeguarding OfficersIf you want to talk to someone about a safeguarding concern or issue affecting a child or adult at risk within the Church in Wales, please contact a Provincial Safeguarding Officer:Fay HoweDioceses of Llandaff and MonmouthTel: 07840843244Email: fayhowe@churchinwales.org.ukWendy LemonDioceses of Bangor and St AsaphTel: 07392319064Email: wendylemon@churchinwales.org.ukColin TaylorDioceses of St. Davids and Swansea & BreconTel: 07956790330Email: colintaylor@churchinwales.org.ukDirector of SafeguardingIf you want to talk to someone about the overall approach to safeguarding within the Church in Wales or have a question relating to the responsibility for safeguarding by those in a leadership role, please contact the Director of Safeguarding:Anthony GriffithsTel: 07377 519682Email: anthonygriffiths@churchinwales.org.ukSafeguarding AdministratorSarah RobinsonEmail: sarahrobinson@churchinwales.org.uk

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Lead Safeguarding TrainerEmma Leighton-JonesEmail: emmaleighton-jones@cinw.org.ukFor all Safeguarding Training please email safeguardingtraining@cinw.org.ukSafer RecruitmentThe Church in Wales is committed to the safe recruitment of all clergy, staff and volunteers as an important aspect of protecting children and adults at risk and keeping them safe from harm. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks help the Church make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from having contact with children and adults at risk.For all DBS enquiries, please visit the Church in Wales DBS information page or contact the Church In Wales DBS admin team at DBSAdmin@churchinwales.org.ukSafeguarding in SchoolsChurch in Wales schools are committed to celebrating the rich heritage of faith, language and culture of our land, offering the very best education to the children of Wales in a safe and secure Christian context.If you want to report a safeguarding concern affecting a Church in Wales school, please contact the local authority education department for the area where that school is located.If you want to talk to someone about a general safeguarding concern or have a question relating to safeguarding policy or procedures, please email safeguarding@cinw.org.ukWelsh Government has produced Keeping learners safe as statutory safeguarding guidance for all education providers in Wales, including voluntary controlled and voluntary aided Church in Wales schools.More information about Church in Wales schools can be found on the Education page of the Church in Wales website.Wales Safeguarding ProceduresWelsh Government has produced the Wales Safeguarding Procedures as statutory guidance for anyone working with children or adults in Wales, whether in a paid or unpaid role. The Wales Safeguarding Procedures build on the statutory guidance of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 to provide clear guidance and expectations for safeguarding both adults and children.The Procedures clearly state that “Safeguarding is everyone’s business” and clarify what is required of people in specific roles.The Wales Safeguarding Procedures are easily and readily available in two ways:Digitally, on a platform currently supported by Social Care Wales at www.safeguarding.walesAs a free App available for Android and iOSModern SlaveryThe Church in Wales is committed to exploring every opportunity to play its part in working to combat modern slavery by prevention, detection and in offering support for its victims.The Church in Wales works with The Clewer Initiative and wider church networks to raise awareness of modern slavery, identify victims and to help provide victim support and care. Please also see our statement on modern slavery.

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Child Exploitation and Online Protection

CEOP is a command of the National Crime Agency and is dedicated to tackling the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people. CEOP helps children and young people under the age of 18 who have been forced or manipulated into taking part, or are being pressured to take part, in sexual activity of any kind. This can be both online and offline. The CEOP Safety Centre offers information and advice for children and young people, parents and carers and professionals. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.Online bullying or other online concerns should not be reported to CEOP and children and young people should be directed to speak to an adult they trust, and/or referred to Childline, if they would like to speak to someone about how they are feeling.