Safeguarding procedure

Procedure for responding to safeguarding concerns and allegations

The following procedure was last reviewed and approved by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) on 10 July 2025.

All All safeguarding allegations or suspicions of abuse must be reported to an appropriate professional immediately and in any event within 24 hours, as follows:

• 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.

Make a record and report all information to the incumbent and PSO.

• If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, you should still speak to an official about your concern as soon as possible. Make a record of what happened and report to the incumbent / Parish Safeguarding Officer, or the activity leader.

• If you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm you, or the incumbent or PSO on your behalf, should contact the relevant authorities within 24 hours and then follow their advice. Make a record of your concerns and of the contact made and any communications.

For a child, contact  Oxfordshire MASH on 0345 050 7666, or

the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): 0800 833 408

For a vulnerable adult, contact the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board on 01865 328232

The Diocese of Oxford safeguarding team are available to advise and respond to urgent and confidential safeguarding matters, and can be contacted on 01865 208295, or by emailing  safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org. They are not, however, able to offer an emergency or 24-hour response. They should be informed of any safeguarding concern or allegation within 24 hours. It would normally be the job of the Parish Safeguarding Officer, the Assistant Parish Safeguarding Officer, or the incumbent to contact them and keep them up to date as the situation develops.  

All phone or email referrals to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team must be followed up by completing the Safeguarding Referral Form, which can be found online under Safeguarding on the Diocesan website.