Safeguarding

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Welcome

We are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults to worship and grow in Christ safely. We value and respect everyone we work with and our safeguarding team endeavours to be as relational, transparent and proportionate as possible.

You'll find links to safer recruitment, DBS guidance and safeguarding training in the navigation links of this page. Scroll down to meet the team and find out when and how to call them.

Survivor leaflet

This leaflet aims to explain how the diocesan safeguarding team will respond to those who come forward to report abuse and explains the support that is available. Download a copy of Support for survivors here.


What to do if you have a safeguarding concern

If someone is in immediate danger

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call emergency services on 999.

If there is no risk of immediate harm

If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, you must speak to an official about your concern as soon as possible. When first reporting a concern, please be sure to make contact using the information shown below.

Outside office hours

For urgent safeguarding enquiries outside of office hours (see below), please call our partners Thirtyone:eight on +44 (0) 303 003 1111 for confidential advice, guidance and support.

During office hours

Call 01865 208 295 or email safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org for urgent safeguarding concerns Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm.

You can also contact your area safeguarding adviser directly if you prefer:

  • Buckingham – Tsungai Muchegwa: 07435 550 685
  • Oxford and Dorchester – Erica Hegg: 07341 866832
  • Berkshire – Charlotte Wilmshurst: 07443 700159
Meet our safeguarding team

Louise Whitehead

Head of Safeguarding

Email

07391 868 478

Louise joined the diocese in 2022 and brings experience and expertise from working in children and young people’s social work practice and management for Oxfordshire County Council. Louise qualified as a social worker in 2014. She has been involved in management, training and promoting best practice within the local authority. 

Prior to this, Louise worked in international development and completed doctoral research at Oxford Brookes while living in Cambodia.

Read more about Louise.

Erica Hegg

Area Advisor for Oxford and Dorchester

Email

07341 866 832

Erica has been employed by the diocese since April 2021. Erica served with Wiltshire Police as a detective constable, specialising in child sexual exploitation.

Erica has experience of investigating serious and complex crime, skilled in public protection (child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, vulnerable adults and management of people who have sexually harmed). She worked in a multi-agency environment with children services, probation, education, NHS and HM prison.

Tsungai Muchegwa

Area Advisor for Buckinghamshire

Email

07435 550 685

Tsungai joined the safeguarding team in August 2022. Tsungai has joined us from Buckinghamshire Council where she was working in Commissioning for Adults Services. Tsungai is a Qualified Social Worker with experience in Child Protection and as an Advanced Practitioner in Adult Services. Tsungai has experience of leading complex safeguarding investigations and supporting people in a number of multi-agency teams. 

Tsungai also has experience of working in partnership with Bedfordshire Police in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre supporting people who would have experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse.

Charlotte Wilmshurst

Area Advisor for Berkshire

Email

07443 700 159

Charlotte (also known as Charlie) joined the team in May 2022. Charlie worked as a Civilian Investigator with Thames Valley Police in the Violent and Sex Offender Register and Domestic Abuse teams.

Charlie has experience of investigating medium and high risk domestic abuse cases, where she was awarded a commendation for her outstanding work with survivors. She also has experience in the management and risk assessments of people who have sexually harmed. She has gained a wealth of experience working with several teams within Thames Valley Police including the Multi Agency Safeguarding Team, Monitoring Oxford City CCTV, 999 Call Taker - Control Room. Charlie has also managed two Extra Case Housing facilities supporting vulnerable residents and leading the care teams.

Rebecca Norris-Bulpitt

Safeguarding Training & Policy Adviser

Email

01865 587041

Linda Carpenter

Safeguarding Training & DBS Administrator

Email

01865 208 267

Linda joined the team in January 2018, previously working as a classroom assistant supporting pupils with additional needs and later as the Business Manager of a primary school.

Linda has a good understanding of the need for robust safeguarding procedures and training, central to protecting children and supporting those working in this environment. Linda has also been appointed as parish representative to the Deanery Synod. 

 

Charnelle Stylianides

Director of People and Safeguarding

Email

01865 208 770

Charnelle leads the development and implementation of the diocesan People and Safeguarding strategy for both clergy and employees. Charnelle previously held the role of Interim Chief People Officer at the global children’s charity World Vision. She also has experience as Chief People Officer for Picker Institute, a healthcare charity, and delivering consultancy work for Oriel College.

What if I'm not happy
If you are not satisfied with the service you have received as a result of the diocese handling a safeguarding concern or allegation, you should follow the Safeguarding Complaints Policy and Procedure and/or refer to the When Things Go Wrong leaflet summarising the process.

 


 

Don't forget

All phone or email referrals to the safeguarding team must be followed up by completing the Safeguarding referral form.

Complete the referral form online

If you have any problems with the online form, you can download a copy (for Microsoft Word or as a PDF) and return it to safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org.

Your Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)

Your Parish Safeguarding Officer is also a local first point of contact for reporting safeguarding concerns. If you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, you should approach your local Children's Social Care or Adult's Social Care department.

 

If you have a non-urgent enquiry

We can give you advise on non-urgent matters too - send us an email at safeguarding@oxford.anglican.org.

When should I contact the diocesan safeguarding team? (click here)

A referral to the diocesan safeguarding team must be made about any case where a child or vulnerable adult appears to be at risk or where an adult appears to present a risk.

The diocesan safeguarding team must also be informed straight away of any safeguarding concerns involving a church officer. A church officer is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.

Speed of response

The diocesan safeguarding team are committed to responding to safeguarding concerns, providing advice if you are not sure what to do, and supporting survivors in an efficient and effective way. We are not able to offer an emergency or 24-hour response. 

The team aim to acknowledge receipt of all referrals within 48 hours. A team member will contact the referrer, in accordance with case prioritisation, to discuss the referral further.

What does the diocesan safeguarding team do?

We offer advice, support and guidance to anyone in the diocese about all aspects of safeguarding.

This may include:

  • Advice and support: telephone, email and face-to-face consultation about a range of issues.
  • Policy and practice: signposting to national and local policies and practice guidance.
  • Training: safeguarding training to clergy and other leaders, including on-site training and online.
  • Casework: management of complex cases, joint-working with statutory agencies, consultation and advice.
  • Support for survivors: direct support and advice, provision of Authorised Listeners.
Key facts about safeguarding in the Diocese of Oxford

We have:

  • Grown our safeguarding team to 5.8 full-time equivalent staff.
  • Ensured the independent chair of the safeguarding panel can, and does, hold the diocese to account.
  • Systematically trained clergy and church officers in safeguarding, including training for the senior team.
  • In 2021, the team trained 4,901 participants, through the delivery of 96 training modules and the completion of online training, supported 20 volunteer trainers and provided guidance to 423 parish safeguarding officers.
  • Delivered a culture change in the handling of safeguarding disclosures.
  • Increased our corporate understanding of the nature of abuse and increased awareness of those who are isolated or lonely being at risk of abuse.

There is always more to be done. We see learning as central to the culture of a safe church. Find out more about the work of our independent safeguarding panel. 

Read our safeguarding privacy policy.

Safeguarding newsletters

Our newsletter brings together the latest safeguarding information from across the diocese so we can better protect children and vulnerable adults involved in the life of the Church. Read past editions and sign up to receive the quarterly news.

Subscribe now

How to contact the National Safeguarding Team (NST)

If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns directly to the National Safeguarding Team at Church House Westminster, please email safeguarding@churchofengland.org.

 


 

Safeguarding drop-in sessions and training

 

A series of safeguarding 'drop-in sessions' are taking place to support parishes with safeguarding queries. Click [+] below to find out more and to book your slot. 

All areas

Drop-in for Parish Dashboards/DBS/Training/Safer Recruitment enquiries

Monday 25 September, 10:00-11:00 on Zoom

Register in advance for this meeting here  (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.)

Monday 30 October, 19:00-20:00 on Zoom

Register in advance for this meeting here  (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.)

Thursday 30 November, 11:00-12:00 on Zoom

Register in advance for this meeting here  (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.)

 

Berkshire

Berkshire drop-in session – Risk Assessments & Safeguarding Agreements

29/03/2023

13:00 Daytime drop-in - register here

19:00 Evening drop-in - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about Risk Assessments & Safeguarding Agreements to understand why they are a critical step in protecting children and vulnerable people from harm.

Berkshire drop-in session – Working safely with people who have sexually harmed in the Church

28/06/2023

13:00 Daytime drop-in - register here

19:00 Evening drop-in - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about how we work with people who have committed sexual offences.

Berkshire drop-in session – Working with the Parish Dashboard System

26/09/2023

13:00 Daytime drop-in - register here

19:00 Evening drop-in - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about how to best use the Dashboard system to ensure good safeguarding practice in your church.

Oxford & Dorchester

Oxford & Dorchester Drop-in session – Risk Assessments & Safeguarding Agreements

28/03/2023

12:00 Daytime drop-in - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about Risk Assessments & Safeguarding Agreements to understand why they are a critical step in protecting children and vulnerable people from harm.

Oxford & Dorchester Drop-in Session – Working safely with people who have sexually harmed in the Church

27/06/23

18:00 Evening drop-in - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about how we work with people who have committed sexual offences.

Oxford & Dorchester Drop-in Session – Working with the Parish Dashboard System

26/09/23

1200 Daytime drop-in - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about how to best use the Dashboard system to ensure good safeguarding practice in your church.

Buckinghamshire

Buckingham Drop-in session – Risk Assessments & Safeguarding Agreements

30/03/2023

12:30 Daytime session - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about Risk Assessments & Safeguarding Agreements to understand why they are a critical step in protecting children and vulnerable people from harm.

Buckingham Drop-in Session – Working safely with people who have sexually harmed in the Church.

04/07/2023

17:30 Evening session - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about how we work with people who have committed sexual offences.

Buckingham Drop-in Session – Working with the Parish Dashboard

02/10/2023

12:30 Daytime session - register here

Take this opportunity to join a discussion about how to best use the Dashboard system to ensure good safeguarding practice in your church.

 


 

If I Told You, What Would You Do?

 

Check out this excellent survivor-led resource. You'll find the links on the templates and resources page.

 

Further safeguarding resources and information...

Finding support

Support options available across the Thames Valley.

Parish safeguarding

Safeguarding information for parishes, including the parish dashboard and local parish officer list.

Safeguarding training

Safeguarding training dates and booking information.

Complaints & whistleblowing

Guidance on complaints and whistleblowing procedures.

Safer recruitment & DBS

Resources and information relating to Safer Recruitment and DBS.

Safeguarding panel

Information on the diocesan safeguarding panel and their work.

Templates & resources

Templates and resources for parish safeguarding.

Learning reviews

The use and purpose of safeguarding learning reviews in the Diocese of Oxford.

Past cases review 2

An independent review of over 3,000 parish and diocesan files has been concluded with each of the 609 parishes in the Diocese of Oxford completing a return.

 

Page last updated: Wednesday 13th September 2023 11:56 AM

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