How to respond

Urgent cases:

In rare cases, there may be an immediate risk of serious harm. Always contact the emergency services on 999.

Non-urgent cases:

First record your observations

Take some brief notes at the time, and then write them up in more detail as soon as possible afterwards.

Taking notes

Make sure your notes are factual: what, when, who, where. Record what happened and any words that were used.

Do not include your impressions or possible interpretations of events.

Retain your notes. Include the date and time when they were written.

Use them as the basis either for a phone conversation with a relevant individual, or when filling in a Cause for Concern Form.

Do not destroy your notes until advised by a relevant individual; they may be required as evidence in any future proceedings. Keep the notes in a safe and secure place.

You may find it helpful to use a Cause For Concern Form. This can be downloaded here: Cause For Concern Form

Secondly report your observations or concerns

Report the matter immediately to a relevant individual, and always within 24 hours.

Who to contact:

In emergencies, contact the police immediately on 999.

In all other cases, you should contact a relevant individual as soon as possible, and always within 24 hours of the event.

A relevant individual is the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), the vicar, a member of the clergy team, or a church warden. If none of these is available within 24 hours of the event, contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA). In the first instance, you should normally contact the PSO, but in their absence, contact any of the other relevant individuals.

The main contacts at Holy Trinity Church are:

Title	Name	Telephone	e-mail
Parish Safeguarding Officer	Paul Stephens	07503159108	parishsafe@holytrinityripon.org.uk
Vicar	Chris Butler	01765690930	chris.butler@holytrinityripon.org.uk
Curate	Michelle Lepine	01765690930	m.lepine@holytrinityripon.org.uk
Churchwarden	Dan Metcalfe	07760751890	churchwarden@holytrinityripon.org.uk
Churchwarden	Kathryn Bailey	07940545642	churchwarden@holytrinityripon.org.uk
Office		01765690930	office@holytrinityripon.org.uk
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser		01133530256	safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org
Local Authority Safeguarding		03001312131	social.care@northyorks.gov.uk

Finally

Do not discuss the issue with any other person.

The needs of the child, young person, or vulnerable adult will always take precedence over the needs of any other individual.

Remember:

Listen Observe Record Notify
If you do nothing else, speak to someone about your concern