Everyone serving at St Ebbe’s Church is obliged to conduct themselves in keeping with these high standards and to treat others with dignity and respect. Whether you are a member of the public, or are a member of the church, we invite you to report any concerns you may have about the behaviour of St Ebbe’s staff or volunteers.

Safeguarding

Our church is committed to the care, nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children and adults and to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable. Any allegation or concern regarding the abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult must be treated seriously and reported as soon as possible.

A concern can arise when you observe or suspect abusive behaviour, when an allegation is made or disclosed, or where there are indicators (signs and symptoms) of suspected abuse on the victim.

To report a safeguarding concern, please see our Safeguarding page.

Whistleblowing

If you discover information which you believe shows serious malpractice, illegal actions, wrongdoing or unacceptable behaviours or practices by St Ebbe’s Church employees, volunteers or members, we ask you to report it.

Legislation protects those who raise legitimate concerns. No one who makes a report in good faith will be victimised for doing so. Your concern could be about one of the following, and could be about things that are happening now, have happened in the past, or are likely to happen in the future:

• A criminal offence
• The breach of a legal obligation
• A miscarriage of justice
• A danger to the health and safety of any individual
• Damage to the environment
• Deliberate concealment of information related to any of the above

It could also be about something not included in the list above.

To report a whistleblowing concern:

Talk to, or contact, a member of staff or the Rector, Vaughan Roberts.

Concerns or complaints about a staff member should be addressed to the Rector.

If you would like to speak to someone in leadership at St Ebbe’s, who’s not a staff member, then please contact the Churchwardens (elected lay representatives) at churchwardens@stebbes.org.

Concerns or complaints about the Rector should be addressed to the Archdeacon, Jonathan Chaffey (01865 208263; archdeacon.oxford@oxford.anglican.org). Please see the Diocese of Oxford’s website for details of how to raise a concern.

Concerns which an individual considers cannot be raised through these channels can be directed to the Bishop of Oxford, Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft (01865 208222; bishop.oxford@oxford.anglican.org) or, for safeguarding issues, to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (01865 208295, safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org) with a request that the individual’s identity is withheld from those in the parish. However, it needs to be understood that the church cannot act on anonymous allegations or take formal action in the absence of reasonably substantiated concerns. If the safeguarding matter urgent and out of office hours, please contact Diocesan partners thirtyone:eight on +44 (0) 303 033 111.

Your concerns should be reported as quickly as possible so they can be investigated and any appropriate action taken. Those who raise issues under this provision must have a reasonable belief that it is well founded. However, appropriate action will be taken if a malicious allegation is made.

If an investigation is required, confidentiality will be maintained to the extent that this is appropriate and practical in the circumstances. The main exceptions are when the law requires disclosure, or when someone is at risk.

Issues will be investigated as soon as possible and action taken in line with our whistleblowing and disciplinary policies and procedures.

The person raising a complaint or concern will be informed of the outcome subject to the normal rules on confidentiality of personal information.

Any other concerns

If you have any other concerns or questions about the work of St Ebbe’s not covered by the safeguarding or whistleblowing sections above, please let us know by talking to a member of staff, emailing office@stebbes.org, using the form on our contact page, or calling us on 01865 240438.

We appreciate your help in bringing matters to our attention. Thank you.