Responding to safeguarding concerns or allegations that relate to children, young people and vulnerable adults
Report
Please note that if you believe that a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm, you should contact the police on 999.
If a church officer notices signs or symptoms of potential abuse of a child or adult, you should report this to your activity leader/manager (where appropriate) and seek advice and guidance from the diocesan safeguarding adviser and/or the nominated safeguarding officer for your church body. This must happen within 24 hours of identifying a concern (see section 2).
If the information suggests that the child or adult is at risk of abuse or neglect, then the information will also need to be reported to the statutory services immediately (see section 2).
Introduction
1. Be alert to safeguarding concerns
1.1. Guidelines for responding to a person disclosing abuse
1.2. How do I know that a child or young person is being abused?
1.3. How do I know that an adult is being abused?
2. Reporting a safeguarding concern or allegation about a child or young person
2.1. Quick guide
2.2. What will the diocesan safeguarding adviser do?
2.3. Do I need to obtain consent?
2.4. Making a referral to statutory agencies
2.5. What to expect from children's social care
2.6. How to access early help services
3. Reporting a safeguarding concern or allegation about an adult