Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: given this, encouraging people to express concerns appropriately and in a timely fashion is an important aspect of a strong safeguarding culture. Additionally, ‘whistleblowing’ has been recognised as having an important place in developing a strong safeguarding culture within organisations. At the most simple level, anyone can spot a genuine concern and it is important that everyone who does so feels safe to raise that concern. At a more fundamental level, organisations – including the church – can become hierarchical and opaque, and a strong whistleblowing policy recognises the importance of empowering those who may not hold positions of structural influence within the organisation to feel confident enough to speak out, should they believe poor practice to be present.

The aim of this policy and associated guidance is to provide a clear and transparent way for anyone involved in St Peter and St Paul to raise genuine concerns regarding poor practice that impacts upon the safety or wellbeing of children or adults to whom St Peter and St Paul ministers. It also aims to ensure that any concerns are dealt with effectively and in a timely fashion.

This policy and guidance provides a simple set of steps to deal with concerns, ensuring that people are not penalised for raising genuine concerns, even if those concerns appear to be unfounded.

This policy and guidance applies to everyone involved in St Peter and St Paul, including all workers who are involved on either a paid or voluntary basis. Like all parish safeguarding policies, this policy should be easily available for all – for instance at the back of church and on the church website. It should not be necessary for someone who wants to see this policy to ask a leader within the church to provide it.

Our Commitment:

• At St Peter and St Paul, we recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
• We recognise that no other concern or responsibility, however genuine, outweighs the need to prioritise the welfare of children and adults at all times
• We welcome, encourage and urge anyone who is concerned about any aspect of our safeguarding practice or provision to raise those concerns, as outlined in the Guidance below
• We welcome, encourage and urge anyone who is concerned about the safety and welfare of a child or adult to report those concerns as outlined in the Guidance below, and in accordance with the Guidance found in the section of the Diocesan Safeguarding Website, entitled ‘What Do I Do If?’
• We undertake to treat all such concerns seriously, as outlined in the Guidance below • We guarantee that no-one who raises any concern in good faith, even if those concerns are ultimately found to be unfounded, will face any adverse consequences whatsoever.

Guidance:

What to do if you have a concern:

• In the first instance, speak to the leader of the area of church about which you have a concern (for instance, if your concern is about Junior Church, speak to the Junior Church leader) and inform the Parish Safeguarding Officer that you have done so. A good principle is that concerns should be dealt with at the lowest level necessary, and only escalated beyond that if those concerns remain, having been expressed. However, if your concern is about the behaviour of a leader in the church (lay or ordained), you may feel that you need to escalate it to someone in authority over them; you would be perfectly justified in doing this.
• Try to be as specific as possible: what or whom are you concerned about exactly? Can you give specific dates or examples of what has caused your concern? Vague concerns are difficult to investigate. If you only have an impression, or cannot give specific examples, you may still wish to express concerns but be open about the limited details you have.
• Try and avoid language that is either accusatory or emotive: your aim it to improve an area of church life, not to put the recipient of your concern on the defensive.
• It is very helpful to quote policy, if you can (although if you cannot, this is not a reason to avoid expressing your concern). This helps the person receiving your concern to see very quickly that you are simply holding the church to account to its own policies, or to Diocesan policies.
• Face-to-face is usually best, but follow up the conversation in writing. For instance: “Last Sunday after church I expressed a concern about X, you replied by saying Y, and you said you would get back to me by Z. Please could you reply by confirming my understanding of our conversation is correct”. A simple written communication such as this can assist greatly in providing clarification to all concerned about what was said (although see below guidance for the person receiving the concern along similar lines).
• If you are satisfied that your concern has been resolved, you can leave the matter there. If you are not, it is important that you escalate it, informing the Parish Safeguarding Officer that you have done so. We suggest that a suitable ‘order of escalation’ would be:
• Lay Leader in Church (e.g. Children’s Work Leader)
• Incumbent (and/or churchwarden in a vacancy)
• Diocesan Safeguarding Team
• Bishop
• National Safeguarding Team
• In escalating your concern, you are acting in an entirely appropriate way.Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility; there may be the rare occasion where you just have to raise your concern outside of your local parish context, in order to ensure that the children and adults your church ministers to are safe.
• If you feel that the concern has great urgency and cannot be escalated in this manner (for instance if you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child or adult), then you must raise those concerns without delay withthe appropriate statutory authority. Please follow the guidance on the Diocesan Safeguarding Website, under the section entitled ‘What Do I Do If?’. Use the appropriate sub-heading to find out how best to report these concerns.

What to do if you receive a concern

• If someone tells you that they have a concern, you should arrange to meet him/her as soon as possible.
• Approach the situation sensitively, recognising the discomfort that the person may feel. Offer to meet him/her away from the church if they wish, and allow them to being a friend if that would help.
• Do not promise confidentiality: you do not know what they are going to share, but if they share an immediate safeguarding concern you will have no choice other than to break that promise.
• However, be prepared to discuss the possibility of anonymity for the person sharing the concern. People may have reasons to want to stay anonymous, even if they know they have to say something, and closing this option off may mean that the concern never gets aired.
• Reassure the person that there will be no negative repercussions for any concern shared in good faith – even if it turns out to be unfounded or mistaken. ‘Concerns’ shared out of malice or divisiveness are a different matter but at this stage, assume the person to be acting in good faith.
• You may wish to suggest sources of support for the person – especially if they are on their own without the support of a friend or family member. Sharing concerns in an institutional context can be very intimidating – even in church – and the concern may have been a source of great anxiety for a long time. The person may be sharing the concern with you because this anxiety has reached the point where they feel compelled to act, and in coming to you they are expressing a great measure of faith that they will be well-received, and not have their intentions misinterpreted. They may wish to speak to someone outside of the immediate context to receive some pastoral support (for instance from a neighbouring parish), or they may wish to speak to someone in the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
• Recognise that not everyone expressed genuine concerns appropriately. Someone can say something in the wrong manner, at the wrong time and with the wrong language – but still be right. Don’t be too quick to dismiss what someone says because of how they say it.
• Make notes of the conversation, ideally at the time or immediately afterwards.
• Follow-up your conversation in writing, as soon as you can. For Instance: “On date X, you expressed your concerns about Y. I replied by saying I would look into what you said, and would get back to you by date Z’. This helps provide clarity for all involved.
• Make sure you are clear about what you will do with the concern, by when you will do it, and when you will let the person know. Give the person a clear indication of when they can expect to hear back from you, and keep to this promise if you have made no progress – hearing from you with no news is better than not hearing from you.
• Unless the concern is easily resolved, we suggest that you seek advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. If the concern is about the behaviour of an adult in the church,youmustfollowthepolicy‘Managing AllegationsintheChurch’.Ifthe concern is about the safety and welfare of a child or adult, you must follow the guidance provided in the ‘What Do I Do If?’ section of the Diocesan Safeguarding Website.
• The crucial principle for any adequate Whistleblowing policy isthat anyone raisingany concern in good faith – whether or not that concern is ultimately justified – should suffer no adverse consequences whatsoever. Further guidance regarding this can be found in the web links in this section of SQP.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as:

The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or through cyber space.

Bullying behaviour may include, but is not limited to:

• Physical
• Verbal
• Emotional
• Sexual
• Online/cyber - Indirect
• Prejudice-related

There is no hierarchy of bullying, all forms of bullying are taken equally seriously and will be dealt with appropriately.

Objectives of this policy

• All children, adults, parents and carers should be aware of the anti-bullying policy within the organisation and what they should do if bullying arises.
• All workers should have an understanding of what bullying is, be aware of possible signs if it is happening and follow the policy when it is reported.
• Children and parents/carers should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
• Adults and their families should also be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Prevention

Strategies can be adopted to prevent bullying. As and when appropriate, these may include: - Writing a set of group rules

• Signing a behaviour contract.
• Having discussions about bullying and why it matters.
• All staff, volunteers and group leaders modelling expected behaviour.
• Ensuring that the church actively promotes the celebration of difference and diversity through worship and other planned events.

Procedures

Our church uses a contextual approach to safeguarding and each incident will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Some of the church’s responses may include, but may not be limited to:

• Report the bullying incident to a leader.
• Ensure that details are carefully checked before action is taken.
• In all cases of bullying, the incidents should be recorded by the worker

Consideration should be given to informing parents/carers of the bully, but this should only be done if workers are satisfied there is no bullying/abuse going on at home that might exacerbate the situation.

If it is thought that an offence has been committed, consideration should be given to contacting the police.

• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and stopped quickly. - Help should be offered to help the bully address their behaviour.
• Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the designated safeguarding officer.

Outcomes

• The worker involved in dealing with the incident should issue a warning to the child or adult concerned.
• An apology should be given by the child or adult who has bullied another. - If possible, those involved will be reconciled.
• After the incident has been investigated and dealt with, the situation should be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.
• After the incident(s) have been investigated parents/carers should be informed of the action taken if the incident involves children or other vulnerable people.

 All incidents must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer or the Vicar.

If any further concerns remain these should be reported to the safeguarding officer, police or other external agencies as appropriate.

Online/Cyber bullying

These days bullying doesn’t just happen face to face. Cyberbullying – or bullying via digital technologieslike mobilephonesand computers –isa differentthreat tochildren andadults. It can be harder to spot and more difficult to stop than ‘traditional’ bullying but understanding the dangers can help keep children and adults safe. 

What's different about Online/Cyber bullying?

Cyberbullying is different to other forms of bullying because:

- it can occur anytime, anywhere – the victim can even receive bullying messages or materials at home.

- the audiencetothe bullying canbelargeand reached very quickly and easily if messages are passed around or things are posted online.

- it can be unintentional – people may not think about the consequences of sending messages or images or posting on social media.

Characteristics of Online/Cyber Bullying

- Anonymous – cyber abusers can use the internet using pseudonyms. - Accessibility - cyber bullies can approach their victims at any time

- Loss of inhibition – the anonymity of the internet can encourage cyber bullies to commit acts which they might otherwise do in person.

- Social exclusion – the inability to participate in online activities.

Ways of Online/ Cyberbullying

The most common ways of cyberbullying are through:

- Video chat apps, chat rooms, blogs and forums – although many of these are moderated, people involved in discussions can be sent abusive responses.

- text messaging – abusive and threatening texts can be sent to mobile phones. - abusive or prank phone calls – these can be made to a mobile phone.

- picture and video clip messaging – offensive images can be sent to mobile phones.

- email – new addresses can be set up in minutes and used to send offensive messages and images.

- social networking and messaging apps (like Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram WhatsApp) – offensive or humiliating messages and images can be posted on these sites.

- identity theft – in many cyber environments fake profiles can be set up pretending to be someone else with the aim of bullying others.

- instant message services – quicker than email, these allow users to have 'real time' conversations, and offensive messages or content can be sent in this way.

- webcams – usually used to view each other when chatting online, children and adults can also be sent abusive images or encouraged to act in an inappropriate way while being filmed.

- video chat apps – children and adults may find themselves the subject of films being shown (e.g. what is wrongly called ‘happy slapping’) or be accidentally exposed to pornographic images

- gaming sites, consoles and virtual worlds – chatting is possible within many games, and name-calling, abusive remarks and picking on particular players can occur.

Protecting children and adults from Cyberbullying

As with other types of bullying it’s important for you to listen to children and adults and react with sympathy. You should let them know that bullying is always wrong, and that seeking help is the right thing to do.

It’s important for them to learn to respect and look after their friends online and to think before they post or text. To help keep children and adults safe you can:

- encourage them to talk to you or another adult about anything that’s upsetting them. - watch out for them seeming upset after using the internet or their mobile phone.

- try to understand the ways in which they are using their digital technologies. - ask them to think about how their actions affect other users.

- suggest that they only use moderated chat rooms and follow age restrictions on apps and social media platforms.

- encourage them to show you any abusive or offensive emails or messages they’ve received and keep a record of them.

- help them report any abuse to their internet service provider, the website manager/moderator, the mobile phone company or the police.

- tell them never to respond to any abusive messages or calls – this is frequently what the abuser wants.

- discuss keeping their passwords safe and avoiding giving their name, email address or mobile phone number to people outside their circle of friends and family.

- change email address or telephone number if the abuse continues.

-     turn on in-built internet safety features and install computer software to ensure that you only receive emails from people you have chosen and to block unwanted images.

- tell them about places where they can go for help and support like ChildLine, CEOP’s ThinkuKnow and Childnet International, Bullying UK

Useful sources:

Helpline services : HSE InfoLine - 0845 345 0055; BullyingUK: 0808 800 2222 Websites: Anti-Bullying Alliance & Bullying Intervention Group

Adapted 20/04/2021 from Thirtyone; eight policy guidance

Reviewed for the PCC - February 2025

•  We recognise that all allegations that someone may have harmed a child or adult must be taken seriously. In all but the most exceptional circumstances, this will mean letting a safeguarding specialist know about the allegation.
• We recognise that it is not our responsibility to investigate allegations, nor would it be appropriate for us to do so. Our responsibility is to pass allegations on to the person/people who can respond appropriately.
• In the first instance, this will normally involve informing the incumbent and the parish safeguarding officer (unless the allegation is about them).
• We will inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Team upon becoming aware of any allegation that someone in our church community has harmed, or may have harmed, a child or adult (this will normally be done by the incumbent and/or the parish safeguarding officer).
• We recognise that any allegation that a person in a position of responsibility for children (paid or voluntary) has behaved in such a way that indicates they may present a risk to children, will be referred by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). If the alleged behaviour is of a criminal nature, the police will always be involved.
• We recognise that any allegation that a person in a position of responsibility for adults (paid or voluntary) has behaved in such a way that indicates they may present a risk to adults, will be referred by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team with the local Adults Services team manager. If the alleged behaviour is of a criminal nature, the police will always be involved. (The issue of consent are more complex with harm to adults: this will be discussed with the Diocesan SafeguardingTeam in individual cases).
• We recognise that human behaviour is complex and many-layered, and that any individual may have motives or intentions that are not apparent, even to those who believe they know them well. Practically speaking, this means that we will commit to ensuring that any allegation that a person has harmed, or may have harmed, a child or adult will be taken seriously as per the above points, even when that person is a highly respected individual whose integrity appears to be without question.
• We recognise that the best way to identify any false or malicious allegation is to treat all allegations the same. A transparent, fair and accountable process that is consistently applied is best for all involved, including those against whom allegations are made.
• We recognise that all involved in situations where allegations are made require pastoral support. In particular, the person making the allegation and their family, and the person against whom the allegation is made and their family, will require skilled and careful pastoral support. Providing that support may be complex, and we recognise and commit to working with the wider Diocese should this situation arise.
• We commit to implementing the advice received or any outcome arising from the above process.

This policy applies to all staff, including clergy, PCC members, paid staff, volunteers including children's and youth workers, those involving in leading or coordinating music and worship, and anyone else involved in working or volunteering on behalf of St Peter & St Paul, Rustington.

Purpose of Policy

• To protect children and young people who are ministered to by St Peter & St Paul and who make use of information technology (such as mobile phones/devices, games consoles and the Internet) as part of their involvement with the parish.
• To provide our staff, volunteers, and parents with the overarching principles that guide our approach to e-safety.
• To ensure that, as a Christian community, we minister in line with our values, and also within the law, in terms of how we use information technology and behave online.
• To guide us as we seek to equip the children and young people with whom we minister to be safe, discerning and wise users of information and communication technology.

We recognise that:

• The welfare of the children and young people to whom we minister and with whom we come into contact is paramount, and should govern our approach to the use and management of electronic communications technologies and online behaviour;
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people's welfare, and in helping young people to be responsible in their approach to e-safety;
• The use of information technology is an essential part of all our lives; it is involved in how we as a church gather and store information, as well as how we communicate with each other. It is an intrinsic part of the experience of children and young people, and is greatly beneficial to all. However, it can present challenges in terms of how we use it responsibly, and, if misused either by an adult or a young person, can be actually or potentially harmfull

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Treating any child protection concern arising from the online world in the same way, taking it just as seriously, as concerns arising from the offline world.
• Ensuring that our parish safeguarding officer has access to up-to-date information and training regarding online safety, assisting them as appropriate to access this training.
• Ensuring that all staff and volunteers at St Peter & St Paul avoid using private forms of electronic communication (text message, email, direct messaging including on social media) to communicate with the children and young people they are responsible for.
• Taking the use of such private communication between staff or volunteers and young people as seriously as one-on-one contact between adults and children without another responsible adult present. It is always the responsibility of the adult staff member or volunteer to put appropriate boundaries in place in their relationships with the young people with whom they minister, in both the offline and online worlds.
• Using open online forums to communicate with children, such as Facebook youth group pages to notify young people of events etc.
• Avoiding any form of inappropriate content in what we, our staff and our volunteers post online, including (but not limited to) sexual content, racist, sexist or otherwise bigoted content, or content promoting illegal activity.
• Maintaining electronic versions of sensitive personal data securely, according to the principles of the Data Protection Act.
• Providing age-appropriate awareness material, including training, to children and young people with regards to online safety. In particular, we will make them aware of the Thinkuknow website, and about Childline.
• Providing awareness material to parents with regards to online safety. In particular, we will make them aware of the Thinkuknow, Parents Protect, and UK Safer Internet Centre websites.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops

We will carefully select and train all those who work or volunteer in positions of trust.

We will use the Disclosure and Barring Service, amongst other tools, to check the background of each person.

We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed or at risk of harm.

We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.

We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.

We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishop's guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.

We will review this policy annually and as part of this process will ensure that all our procedures, particularly in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service, are up to date.

Our Safeguarding Representative is: 

Keith Henderson

Address: 8 Mill Lane, Rustington

Post Code: BN16 3EG 

Telephone number: 07850395075

Email address: safeguarding@rustingtonparish.church 

Signed on behalf of the PCC:

Name/Signed…………………………..……………..Incumbent Name/Signed…………………………………………Churchwarden Name/Signed………………………………………….Churchwarden 

Date: 18/11/2025

A copy of this statement is to be displayed in the Church and Hall and a copy sent to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team