St. Georges Parish Church
Annual Parish Meeting 2026
Safeguarding Report
We continue to use the safeguarding dashboard that the Diocese rolled out in 2021 which ensures we are compliant with the House of Bishops recommendations (2016) on Safeguarding. At the time of writing this report the dashboard shows us as ‘green’, 100% compliant, however some risk assessment reviews are due soon, which will change the dashboard percentage ‘amber’ showing these are for action, not red which would deem them urgent. These will be reviewed at the next PCC meeting.
The Safeguarding team regularly discuss any current issues and when necessary advise the PCC and Diocese.
As a parish we continue to work to maintain and improve procedures and what follows is a brief summary.
• The PCC regularly approve the action plans generated by the dashboard and are made aware of the areas requiring attention, reviewing, completing or updating.
• The Safeguarding Policy statement is followed by the PCC.
• DBS checks continue to be maintained and updated. Following a breach of data from the DBS company provider, those people whose details were taken, were notified and action taken to minimise the risk. A new DBS provider was found and we are now registered with this company. Thanks must be expressed to Sheila Wightman for steering us through this difficult time and new process.
• Declaration forms for the major groups within the Church are updated and completed when required.
• Risk Assessments have been completed for a number groups within the Church and others reviewed and renewed when necessary.
• The new Diocese Safeguarding Team (DST) has introduced a number of training sessions both online and face to face for all those requiring training, and those wishing additional training. Several members of the PCC and the PSO have undergone further training on the courses offered, including Domestic Abuse and Leadership courses. The DST have also started regular online meetings to update all PSO's and those involved with Safeguarding on current issues and this also gives the opportunity for any questions or issues to be raised and answered.
In February, the General Synod approved the new 'Safer Recruitment and People Management Code of Practice' This comes into force on 1st June 2026, but is now available on the Church of England website.
• Core Safeguarding training has been undertaken by all members of the PCC including those appointed within the last year.
• Safeguarding contact details are posted in the Church porch and Church hall together with details of how to access any information, handbooks and policies.
We continue to track our progress using the Safeguarding Dashboard and Hub as well as reviewing and updating our policies and procedures to make our church a safer place for all.
In accordance with Safeguarding guidelines, we need to report that there have been two Safeguarding issues recorded and dealt with in the past year. These have been noted by the PCC.
This concludes the Safeguarding annual report for 2026 and I would like to thank the Safeguarding team, the PCC and everyone else for their support and input.
Pauline Murray. PSO.