Annual Safeguarding Report for the Parishes of Coberley, Colesbourne, Cowley and Elkstone - 2019
I am aware that it may be sometime until PCCs are able to hold their AGMs but as I am standing down at the end of April I thought I would send you my report for 2019 so that it is at hand.
There have been no matters of safeguarding in the four parishes that have been brought to my attention during the year.
The Revd. Arthur Champion and I filled in and sent to the Diocesan Safeguarding Office, the Safeguarding Return for the four parishes. I am delighted to say that the Diocesan Office are now sending communications directly to the safeguarding email address which I have maintained.
I am sure you will be delighted to know that Dr. Marie Owen has agreed to take over as the Parish Safeguarding Office with effect from 1 May 2020. Some of you will know that she is the organist at Coberley but more importantly for this role, Marie is highly experienced and supremely qualified in the area of safeguarding. I am very grateful to Marie for agreeing to take this important task on and I know the four parishes will be in very safe hands.
Finally, I would re-iterate what our Archbishops and Bishop have said that these are very difficult times for us all but particularly those at risk of domestic abuse or indeed abuse of any kind and we must be vigilant to pick up any possible signs and report them to the Parish Safeguarding Officer and/or the Diocesan Safeguarding Office, and in extreme emergency to the police. There are several helpful numbers of organisations involved with children and vulnerable adults on the notice boards in the church porches. Safeguarding is the responsibility of us all.
Mary Blackburn
Parish Safeguarding Officer
Coberley , Colesbourne, Cowley and Elkstone
April 2020