Safeguarding newsletter: February 2023

Ben Goodhind, Safeguarding Manager for the Diocese of Bath and Wells has shared his February newsletter for Parish Safeguarding Officers and all those who want to keep up to date with the latest news from the safeguarding team. 

Sadly this month the Safeguarding Team said goodbye to Safeguarding Adviser Andy Duncan, who left the diocese to take up a new post. There has been a good response to the advert for Andy’s replacement, Ben says, “We anticipate someone being in post by the start of May at the latest.” In the meantime Ben asks for patience and support during this period as the team will be operating below capacity. 

In this month’s newsletter Ben shares details of the Bath and Wells partnership with thirtyone:eight who will provide out of hours safeguarding cover. He explains how this relationship works, “An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow for the DSA to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the parish church/caller, so that appropriate follow up and support can be offered on the DSA’s return to the office.”

Ben has added a reminder this month about the exciting news that Bath and Wells has been accepted onto a pilot for Safeguarding Hubs that provide a bolt on to the dashboards to support safer recruitment. He is hoping these will  be available in March for those existing dashboard users and outlines in the letter where you can find more information about the hubs.

This month’s newsletter also shares details of the 2016 changes to DBS checks which bring the Church in line with good practice across the charity/ not for profit sector. The diocese has until the end of 2023 to come into line with this change. Ben outlines what you may want to consider regarding these changes. 
 

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Safeguarding newsletter February 2023

Past Safeguarding newsletters

January 2023

For other past issues of the Safeguarding newsletter please email leonie.jones2@bathwells.anglican.org