What to do if you suspect abuse

These can be viewed here.

The following is a précis for what we are expected to do within the diocese.

1. Contact the person within your local church who is the named person for safeguarding children; this may be your incumbent. If it is not, your incumbent will need to be kept informed unless they are the alleged abuser.

2. The named person will discuss with the incumbent (see above) and one of them will contact the local social services to discuss their concerns. They may contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) for advice first if they wish, but will need to inform the DSA at some point.

3. All referrals to social services need to be followed up in writing within 48 hours. If it was a seeking of advice, good practice indicates that it is worthwhile confirming the discussion with a letter/email to the social worker concerned.

4. Whether it is a referral or seeking advice, any directions given by social services must be followed.

5. There is no confidentiality in safeguarding with regard to any discussion with the statutory authorities, but there is within the diocese and parish – therefore, there must be clear guidelines as to who will give support within the local church. The DSA is there to support as well as give advice and can be contacted at any point in the process.

This flow chart shows the process of a referral to the local social services.