Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England

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Safeguarding

The Diocese of Portsmouth is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults and creating protective and supportive environments where all people, and especially those who may be vulnerable, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey in safety.

We have an experienced, professional team of safeguarding officers, with backgrounds in the police and social services. We also have a network of parish safeguarding officers, and an extensive training programme for those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. The safeguarding culture within our diocese has been and is being transformed. However, we are not complacent and we aim to continue to improve what we do.

We follow the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and adults, and Church of England policy and practice which can be found by clicking here. Click on the boxes below to find out more about what we do.

Safeguarding audit

One of the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was that safeguarding policies and procedures in every Church of England diocese should be subject to an external audit. The INEQE safeguarding group was appointed by the Archbishops’ Council in 2023 to carry out these external audits, to make sure dioceses and cathedrals are doing all they can to create environments where everyone feels safe. In 2025, it will be the turn of the Diocese of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Cathedral to be audited. The audit involves two main elements: a safeguarding survey and an in-person visit. Find out more here.

Reporting A Concern

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate attention, call emergency services on 999.

Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to your Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) and/or Incumbent within 24 hours.

If you need to speak to the the Diocesan Safeguarding Team please click here.

Parish safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@portsmouth.anglican.org using the form below.

Out of Hours

The Diocese have commissioned the charity thirtyone:eight to offer OUT OF HOURS AND HOLIDAY COVER when safeguarding officers are unavailable. They can be contacted on 0303 003 1111 during these times.

During such times, the Diocesan Safeguarding Team will ensure that information about such arrangements is available to parishes that may need safeguarding advice in their absence. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow for the DSA to receive a copy of the advice that thirtyone:eight may offer the parish church/caller to ensure appropriate follow up and support. Please make sure when contacting thirtyone:eight that you inform them that you are calling from the Diocese of Portsmouth.

Finding Help and Support

Below are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

Portsmouth

Hampshire

Isle of Wight

Other

  • NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 (10am–4pm Monday to Friday) or email help@NSPCC.org.uk at any time.
  • Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
  • National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
  • Samaritans: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
  • Action on Elder Abuse : 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
  • The Survivor’s Trust: 08088 010 818 (free phone Monday to Wednesday 10am-7:30pm, Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-2pm)