Reporting a concern

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

If you do not think there is a risk of immediate danger but you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm you should approach your Local Safeguarding Children's or Local Safeguarding adult's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), details for Local Authorities are at the bottom of this page - if you do this please also inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

Please inform our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer about any case where a child or vulnerable adult appears to be at risk or where an adult appears to present a risk. You should inform them of any safeguarding concerns involving a Church Officer.  A ‘Church Officer’ is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.

If you aren’t sure what to do, contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Email safeguarding@bristoldiocese.org or contact one of the Diocesan Safeguarding team. The team is committed to responding to safeguarding concerns, providing advice, and supporting survivors. We are not able to offer an emergency or 24-hour response.

If you need to obtain advice out of hours and it is not a matter that you need to discuss with the police, Thirtyone:eight provide a Helpline 0303 003 11 11 (please ensure that you tell them that you are calling from the Diocese of Bristol).

If you are unsure whether you can share information or not please refer to the information sharing flowchart which will help you decide: Information Sharing Flowchart 

Please use this flowchart to help guide you through the process of alerting the relevant authorities to your concern. 
A flowchart showing what to do if you have a safeguarding concern

 

Local Authority Contact Details for Children

You can use the contact details for each local safeguarding children board area covered by the Diocese of Bristol outlined below or for contact details and further advice use the South West Child Protection Procedures website

Bristol - MASH
First Response: 0117 9036444
Emergency Duty Team: 01454 615165 (contact out of hours evenings and weekends)

South Gloucestershire - MASH
South Gloucestershire Social Care: 01454 866000
Emergency Duty Team: 01454 615165

Swindon
Swindon Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 01793 466 903.
Emergency Duty Team: 01793 436699
Swindon Safeguarding Partnership

Wiltshire
Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 0300 456 0108
Emergency Duty Team: 0300 456 0100 (5.30pm - 9.00am)

Alternatively, you can call ChildLine for advice on 0800 1111 or e-mail them by visiting  ww.childline.org.uk

Local Authority Contact Details for Adults at Risk of Abuse

Bristol 
Tel: 0117 922 2700 or use online report form
Out of Hours – answerphone

South Gloucestershire 
Tel: 01454 868007
Out of Hours: 01454 615165

Swindon 
Tel: 01793 463555 or use online report form
Out of Hours – answerphone
Swindon Safeguarding Partnership

Wiltshire 
Tel: 0300 456 0111
Out of Hours – 0845 607 0888

 

British Sign Language
 

 
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