Safeguarding
What to do if you have any concernsTSSF SAFEGUARDING
TSSF Designated Safeguarding Person is Mandy Hughes safe@tssf.org.uk, Safeguarding enquires will be read and responded to within 48 hours. If it is an emergency, please contact the appropriate statutory agencies (eg. Police and social services),or your local Diocesan Safeguarding advisor.
Chapter Safeguarding Lead is The Reverend Christopher Wren (07785 754 563) csl@tssf.org.uk
who will be happy to look into your concerns with you and help those to be reported to the appropriate agencies should that be necessary.
If there is an immediate risk of harm to an individual you should dial 999 and report your concern to the police.
If you have a safeguarding enquiry or wish to discuss a safeguarding concern The Third Order Safeguarding Team are available talk with you so please make an initial contact through safe@tssf.org.uk OR csl@tssf.org.uk or 07785 754 563.
Someone is always available to share your concerns with you and take appropriate action. We try our best to respond to non-urgent referrals within 36 hours and urgent issues will be dealt with immediately.
Do please also remember that in your Area you have a Safeguarding Advocate who works on your behalf. Please share your initial concerns with them if you feel uncertain about what to do. For a list of Area Safeguarding Advocates please click here
- If the concern relates to a Church of England Diocese you can speak with the safeguarding team in that Diocese. You can click here to find details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Teams in the Church of England.
- If the concern relates to another denomination or organisation there should be details about their safeguarding lead on their website.
- If you would like to speak with a separate organisation Safe Spaces England and Wales is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.
As a Religious Order, we take our Safeguarding duty of care, very seriously and in the spirit of our Franciscan calling, we aim to care for both our own members but also members of the public that we engage with. Therefore TSSF has a Provincial Safeguarding Team. This is composed of a TSSF Provincial Designated Safeguarding Person as well as a Chapter Lead member. In addition, we have an agreement with local diocesan safeguarding advisors and the National Safeguarding Team for advice and support.
Making referrals to statutory agencies
If you need to report a serious concern about a child or young person a person coping with vulnerability and are unable to contact your local Diocesan Safeguarding Team or are simply happy to make the initial referral to the relevant statutory agency, please do so.
However, please also notify your Third Order Provincial Team after contacting any of these agencies through safe@tssf.org,uk OR cls@tssf.org.uk so we can appropriately follow the matter up with them.