Question 1

St Gregory's Church Safeguarding Policy (Updated May 2026)

Accepted Answer

Statement of Safeguarding PrinciplesSt Gregory’s Parochial Church Council fully recognises and accepts the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy Statement “Promoting a Safer Church 2017” and commits to complying with the current Church of England and Diocese of Exeter safeguarding policies and practice guidance. In so doing we will comply with the secular multi-agency safeguarding procedures relating to children and young people and adults experiencing or at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.We are committed to:Promoting a Safer environment and culture within our Parish and in our Parish activities by adhering to safe working practices and acknowledge the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s business.

In addition, we will ensure that any individual organisation renting/using our premises for activities involving children, young people or vulnerable adults is aware of this, our Safeguarding Policy, and aware of their own individual responsibilities to have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place, including safer recruitment.
Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibilities related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Safer Recruitment: Practice Guidance 2016.
We will ensure those appointed are aware of the Diocesan and Parish Safeguarding Policies and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. We will support them by ensuring they receive Diocesan safeguarding training commensurate with their role and that they are fully aware of and have access to the practice guidance.
Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation in accordance with the statutory child and adult safeguarding procedures and the House of Bishops’ safeguarding practice guidance.

We will ensure that any complaint made regarding a vulnerable person, who may have been harmed or is in significant danger, will be reported immediately and we will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation into allegations concerning a member of the church community or any other person.Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.We will seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry that recognises the importance of understanding the needs of those who have been abused, including their feelings of alienation and/or isolation and provide them with details of local and national support agencies.Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.We will work with others to ensure the appropriate support for them and those affected. Where that person is considered to pose a risk to others, we will work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to mitigate any identified risk.Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.We will endeavor to offer pastoral care and support whilst ensuring any risk has been assessed and is being managed in accordance with House of Bishops’ policy and guidance and in collaboration with the statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.Safeguarding representativesWe will ensure that there are identified persons to be Parish Safeguarding Representatives, who will be suitably recruited and trained and will be aware of their role and responsibilities. They will be the point of contact for any concerns.Any safeguarding concerns should be passed to a member of our safeguarding team;Sue Craker – Safeguarding RepresentativeMary Casey – Safeguarding OfficerRevd Justin Montague – VicarGuidanceCopies of Diocesan and parish guidelines and procedures can be accessed by contacting the church office on seatonchurch@hotmail.co.ukReviewSt Gregory’s PCC Safeguarding policy will be formally reviewed annually, Date of AdoptionSt Gregory’s PCC agreed and adopted the current Policy at its meeting on 20th May 2026The next review will take place not later than 20th May 2027SignedVicar: Revd Justin Montague	Churchwarden: David House	Churchwarden: Dave Dickinson	Date: 20th May 2026	Coastal Mission Community Policy Statement (Updated: May 2026)

Question 2

St Michael's Church Safegurading Policy (Updated May 2026)

Accepted Answer

Statement of Safeguarding PrinciplesSt Michael’s Parochial Church Council fully recognises and accepts the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy Statement “Promoting a Safer Church 2017” and commits to complying with the current Church of England and Diocese of Exeter safeguarding policies and practice guidance. In so doing we will comply with the secular multi-agency safeguarding procedures relating to children and young people and adults experiencing or at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.We are committed to:Promoting a Safer environment and culture within our Parish and in our Parish activities by adhering to safe working practices and acknowledge the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s business.
In addition, we will ensure that any individual organisation renting/using our premises for activities involving children, young people or vulnerable adults is aware of this, our Safeguarding Policy, and aware of their own individual responsibilities to have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place, including safer recruitment.
Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibilities related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Church in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Safer Recruitment: Practice Guidance 2016.
We will ensure those appointed are aware of the Diocesan and Parish Safeguarding Policies and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. We will support them by ensuring they receive Diocesan safeguarding training commensurate with their role and that they are fully aware of and have access to the practice guidance.
Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation in accordance with the statutory child and adult safeguarding procedures and the House of Bishops’ safeguarding practice guidance.
We will ensure that any complaint made regarding a vulnerable person, who may have been harmed or is in significant danger, will be reported immediately and we will fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation into allegations concerning a member of the church community or any other person.Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.We will seek to offer informed pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry that recognises the importance of understanding the needs of those who have been abused, including their feelings of alienation and/or isolation and provide them with details of local and national support agencies.Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.We will work with others to ensure the appropriate support for them and those affected. Where that person is considered to pose a risk to others, we will work with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to mitigate any identified risk.Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.We will endeavor to offer pastoral care and support whilst ensuring any risk has been assessed and is being managed in accordance with House of Bishops’ policy and guidance and in collaboration with the statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor.Safeguarding representativesWe will ensure that there are identified persons to be Parish Safeguarding Representatives, who will be suitably recruited and trained and will be aware of their role and responsibilities. They will be the point of contact for any concerns.Any safeguarding concerns should be passed to a member of our safeguarding team;Sue Craker – Safeguarding RepresentativeGayle Chapple – Safeguarding OfficerRevd Justin Montague – VicarGuidanceCopies of Diocesan and parish guidelines and procedures can be accessed by contacting the church office on seatonchurch@hotmail.co.ukReviewSt Michael’s PCC Safeguarding policy will be formally reviewed annually, Date of AdoptionSt Michael’s PCC agreed and adopted the current Policy at its meeting on 13th May 2026The next review will take place not later than 13th May 2027SignedVicar: Revd Justin Montague	Churchwarden: Penny GrantDate: 13th May 2026	Coastal Mission Community Policy Statement (Updated: May 2026)

Question 3

Responding to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns Procedure (Updated May 2026)

Accepted Answer

Responding to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns Procedure for The Coastal Mission Community St Gregory’s, Seaton and St Michael’s, BeerUnder House of Bishops guidance, every PCC must have a procedure in place to deal promptly with safeguarding allegations or concerns.  This procedure localises the national and diocesan guidance so that church officers are aware of how to respond properly in their local context when they become aware of a safeguarding concern.All church officers should be up to date on safeguarding training at the appropriate level for their role.  From their training they should understand the principles of:Recognise – Respond – Record – ReferSafeguarding is everyone’s responsibility – concerns must always be sharedAs well as being up to date on training, all church officers should have read section 7 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook and retain a (hard or electronic) copy for reference.  Church Officers should always follow the guidance in section 7 in their response to a concern.Church officers should know who to contact.  Appendix 1 of this procedure is a list of the relevant persons a church officer may need to contact in this parish when responding to a safeguarding concern.  All church officers should have a copy of this list and up-to-date lists be made available to them regularly, as role changes and address or number changes necessitate.Relevant Local Authority contact details should be on display in the church buildings and can be accessed on the Safeguarding Contacts page of the Diocese of Exeter website.  Church officers are encouraged to note these contact details as well as those of other support services available so as to be able to respond promptly in the event of a concern.If a church officer is in any doubt as to how to respond to a safeguarding concern they should consult with the Parish Safeguarding Representative or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.  Outside of office hours, the statutory services will be able to guide the appropriate response to an urgent concern.This procedure was approved by St Gregory’s PCC on: 20 May 2026 and is to be reviewed annually.Appendix 1 – Relevant Parish Safeguarding Contacts(Delete roles if not applicable to this parish)VicarName: Revd Justin Montague Contact No: 07308264614Parish Safeguarding RepresentativeName: Sue Craker Contact No: 07802649155

PCC Designated Safeguarding Lead (if PSR is not on PCC)Gayle Chapple	gaylechapple@aol.comChurchwarden (St Michael's Church, BeerPenny Grant pennygrant@hotmail.co.ukChurchwardens (St Gregory's Church, Seaton)Name: David Dickinson  daviddickinson_444@hotmail.comName: David House Contact No: 01297 24645Other Licensed Ministers operating in this parish/beneficeRevd Shuna George Pritchard  shuna.art@gmail.com	Sue Price (Lay Minister Emeritus) Contact No: 01297 22314Lesley Gubbins (LLM) lesleygubbins@gmail.comRevd Emma Loveridge eloveridge@rafanhouse.com			Pastoral Visiting Team CoordinatorName: Revd Justin Montague Contact No: 01297 625682Hall Manager/Bookings SecretaryName: Helen Knight	Contact No: 01297 23656Diocesan Safeguarding Team: 01392 345909/345910/294969Diocesan DBS Coordinator and Safeguarding Training Administrator: 01392 294975Diocesan Safeguarding Email (Non-Urgent Contact): SafeguardingEnquiry@exeter.anglican.org

Safeguarding & Privacy Policies

St Gregory's Church Safeguarding Policy (Updated May 2026)

St Michael's Church Safegurading Policy (Updated May 2026)

Responding to Safeguarding Allegations or Concerns Procedure (Updated May 2026)