The WCGoB takes safeguarding seriously to ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all, including children and vulnerable adults. We adhere to the Diocesan Safeguarding policyhttps://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/diocesan-compendium/safeguarding/ and are follow the Central Council of Church Bellringers Safeguarding Guidancehttps://cccbr.org.uk/2019/10/24/safeguarding-guidance-june-2019-update/. Our expectations are summarized in the Information for Visiting Bellringers. Please read this before contacting us. Please complete and send a declaration form prior to your visit. For ringers under the age of eighteen, a Permission to Ring form should also be completed and sent.
Escalation of Safeguarding Concerns
Making an initial decision about how to respond to concerns or suspicions will depend on a number of factors. For example, in some situations it will be necessary to take immediate action to ensure a child’s safety and there may not be the opportunity to consult with designated people within the parish or the DSA.
The following situations would require immediate action:
- When a child has sustained injuries as a result of abuse that require urgent medical attention (ensure that the child sees a doctor);
- When a child is refusing to return home because of the abuse (contact Social services or the Police);
- When a child has disclosed that there is a likelihood of them suffering significant harm on returning home (contact Social Services or the Police).
Most situations will not require such immediate action. Where there are suspicions of abuse but where no allegation of abuse has been made, you should share your concerns with, and seek guidance from, the WCGoB Safeguarding Lead, David Jenkins (07419212480). If he is unavailable, please contact the Cathedral Safeguarding Lead, Canon Kimberly Bohan (01905 732906) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA), Hilary Higton, (07495 060869).
Contact details of Social Services and Police within the Diocese
- Hilary Higton, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser– 07495 060869
- Delia Stokes, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, 07376 374380
- Non-Urgent Police Enquiries
- Worcestershire– 01905 822 666 (out of hours 01905 768020).
Insurance
Visiting Ringers are covered by the Cathedral’s Public Liability Insurance, as set out below. Full members and Volunteer Members of the WCGoB are covered by the Cathedral’s Employer’s Liability Insurance.
Employers’ Liability
We regard authorised volunteers as employees for the purposes of insurance. The Employers’ Liability insurance provides cover for bodily injury suffered by an employee or authorised volunteer where the Cathedral authorities are held legally liable for the injury, for example, a volunteer bell ringer slipping on paving stones outside of the Cathedral due to the Cathedral authorities failure to clear the path adequately. However, there is no age restrictions under liability sections of cover.
We do not impose any age restrictions on volunteers who wish to work for the Cathedral. However, roles given to volunteers should be suitable for their age and ability.
Public Liability
The Public Liability insurance provides cover for accidental bodily injury to or death of a third party or accidental loss of or damage to third party property where the Cathedral authorities are hold legal liable, for example, a member of the public is injured due to falling debris from the bell tower whilst the bells are being rung.
Personal accident
The cover arranged with Ecclesiastical applies to Insured Persons i.e. employees and authorised volunteers aged 16-80 sustaining accidental bodily injury resulting directly and independently of any other cause arising out of and in the course of their employment/duties for the Cathedral authorities i.e. no one is at fault, for example, a volunteer bell ringer falls in the Cathedral by tripping over their own shoelaces.
