Safeguarding

Key sections:

News & training

Message from Bishop Robert, 14 September 2021
on 14/09/2021 at 12:30 pm
Safeguarding resources developed especially for young people
on 09/02/2021 at 2:08 pm
Safeguarding update
on 09/02/2021 at 11:59 am
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
on 15/10/2020 at 5:22 pm
Safeguarding considerations for online groups
on 29/06/2020 at 12:51 pm
Bishop Rachel asked the Government about support for looked after and adopted children
on 28/01/2020 at 4:59 pm
Mandatory Safeguarding Review for parishes: PCR 2
on 28/01/2020 at 9:20 am
Bishop Rachel responds to the Peter Ball documentary
on 14/01/2020 at 3:01 pm
The Hibiscus Project
on 12/12/2019 at 9:49 am
Modern slavery in Gloucestershire: be part of the solution
on 16/10/2019 at 2:48 pm

Our Safeguarding Strategy

We will do all we can to ensure that our worshipping communities offer the safest places for children and vulnerable people.
Read more; full strategy →

Some brilliant organisations:

Mind UK →
Restored →
Clewer →
NSPCC →
Cycles of abuse: ‘Stop It Now’ →
Safeguarding Children, Glos
Safeguarding Adults, Glos
Childline →

We will do all we can to ensure that our worshipping communities offer the safest places for children and vulnerable people. Our office is based in Gloucester.

Judith Knight

Director of People, Pastoral and Safeguarding
07801 750664

Judith leads on all Safer Recruitment issues

Brett Riches

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
01452 835516 / 07944 680320

Brett works Monday to Thursday each week. He is the diocesan lead for all safeguarding casework and advice and guidance on safeguarding matters generally.

Melanie Biscoe

Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
01452 835516

Melanie is our Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Assistant and works full time in our Church House office. Melanie triages all safeguarding enquiries and calls, and also has a lead safeguarding connection role with Sportily.

Becca Faal

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07944 680320

Becca is the Diocesan Strategic Lead for all our safeguarding training and learning. With the national framework for learning pathways and creativity in having spotlight areas to raise awareness about, working with partner organisations and bringing her own professional experience, Becca works Weds-Friday each week.

Laura Evans

Safeguarding Training Administrator
01452 835531

Laura works with Becca as our safeguarding training administration and can answer your queries about how to log on to the national Church of England training portal for the online Basic and Foundation courses.

In addition Laura links directly with all our clergy, PTO clergy and Readers and automatically books them on to refresher training at the appropriate time to keep our records accurate and issues the completion certificates when training has been completed.

Kate Peake

DBS and Safer Recruitment Administrator
07401 284087

Kate works weekdays except Weds, from 9.30am to 4pm. She administers our processes including DBS, and our five year rolling recheck process. Please email Kate for any of your Safer Recruitment or DBS related questions.

Reporting abuse and finding support

NSPCC helpline for Children and Adults: 0800 80 20 20
This is a special helpline that has been set up for the Past Case review 2 for those who have been affected either directly or indirectly by abuse in a church or cathedral setting. Calls will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt by our not being able to immediately assist you. Therefore here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services. Finding support contacts

The Safeguarding Team is available at all times to help support you and provide advice and guidance. Please see contact details above.

Diocese of Gloucester: Supporting people who have been or are experienced abuse