Safeguarding

Hope Church is a church plant of Emmanuel Church Bicester, with which it shares its Safeguarding Policy, set out below.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
On 23rd September 2025, the Hope Church Leadership Team appointed as DSL:

Name: Rev Sam Mortimer
Telephone: 07505 426763

Emmanuel Church Bicester Parish Safeguarding Policy

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 21st January 2025.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

  • Promoting a safer environment and culture
  • Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people
  • and vulnerable adults within the church
  • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
  • Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
  • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other
  • affected persons
  • Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others

The Parish will:

  • Create a safe and caring place for all
  • Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to
  • implement policy and procedures
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and
  • adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse
  • Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults
  • undertaken in the name of the parish
  • Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are
  • safeguarding concerns or support needs
  • Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse
  • Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies (for example police and Children’ ‘s Services) immediately
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred
  • Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties
  • Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually
  • Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the
guidelines established by this church

This church appoints Rachel Jolly as the Parish Safeguarding Officer

Key roles For the Parish

1. Our Safeguarding Officer(s) is/are:
Name: Rachel Jolly
Address: Emmanuel Church, Barberry Place, Bicester, OX26 3HA
Telephone: 01869 320031
Email: safeguarding@emmanuelbicester.org.uk

2. Appointing Body: Convened when needed; will include at least two people: the incumbent or a churchwarden, and the Safeguarding Officer

3. DBS checks Recruiter: Rev Ian Biscoe

4. DBS Verifier: Ksenija Jackson 

5. Registered body for DBS: APCS

6. Brian Hall Church Warden Date: 21st January 2025