Safeguarding Contacts

• 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 please complete the Safeguarding concern reporting form

Following the publication of the Makin Review, we have been facing increased demand with a rise in concerns, allegations, enquiries, and requests for support. In order to manage demand and prioritise cases according to risk, we have needed to make some amendments to working practices.

We will continue to take calls about urgent concerns and will continue to triage all referrals promptly. However, it may take longer than usual to reply to non-urgent concerns. With that in mind, we have amended our target response time for a reply to non-urgent referrals from within 48 hours to within 5 working days.

Costa Nassaris Head of Safeguarding and Diocesan Safeguarding Officer T: 01392 294969 M: 07809 339501 Email Costa
James May Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer T: 01392 345910 M: 07889 542646 Email James
Rebecca Lane Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer T: 01392 294975 M: 07889 542640 Email Rebecca
David Cross Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer T: 01392  M: 07572 923242 Email David
Ruth Putnam Safeguarding Administrator and DBS Coordinator T: 01392 294929 Email general enquiries Email safeguarding training enquiries Email DBS queries

Making referrals to statutory agencies

If you need to report a serious concern about a child or young person and are unable to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, or are simply happy to make the initial referral to the relevant statutory agency, please do so using the contact details below. However, please notify your Parish Safeguarding Representative and/or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team after contacting any of these agencies.

Concerns About Children

Devon Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 0345 155 1071

Plymouth Children’s Services: 01752 308600 Out of hours: 01752 346784

Torbay Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 01803 208100

Concerns About Adults

Devon – Care Direct: 0345 155 1007

Plymouth Adult Services: 01752 668000 Out of hours: 01752 346984

Torbay Safeguarding Adults Team: 01803 219700

Domestic Abuse

Devon Domestic Abuse Service: 0345 155 1074

Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service: 01752 252033

Torbay Domestic Abuse Service: 01803 698869

Rape Crisis

Devon & Torbay: 01392 204174

National: 0808 500 2222

Devon & Torbay: 01392 204174

Concerns about the behaviour of an adult towards children

‘Stop it Now’ is a child protection charity, working to prevent child sexual abuse by campaigning and raising awareness across the UK to help adults to do their part to stop child sexual abuse by addressing personal, family and community concerns. If you have concerns about child sexual abuse and its prevention, and specifically if you’re worried about your own thoughts, feelings and behaviour, or about those of another adult or young person, then please find out more here.

If you have any concerns about a child, trust your instincts and contact the NSPCC Helpline. Our specialist team will listen, advise and take any action needed.

An estimated 1 in 20 children have experienced sexual abuse. And child sexual abuse is under-reported by adults. It’s time for that to change. It’s never too soon to talk to us. And what you share could make a life-changing difference to a child. 

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk or completing our report abuse online form. Due to an increase in demand, our voice Helpline is currently available 11am–6pm Monday to Friday. You can still email help@NSPCC.org.uk or complete our report abuse online form at any time for free.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999 straight away.

NSPCC Helpline | NSPCC

Children who want to speak to someone about any concerns they have can access online support through the Childline website or can call Childline for free on 0800 11 11

If you are looking for a local support service, Devon & Cornwall’s Victim Care website has a comprehensive directory of organisations and services that can advise, direct or support you.

Seeking to raise a concern or make a complaint about your experience of the safeguarding provision in the Diocese of Exeter?

If you have a concern about the service being provided by the Diocese of Exeter Safeguarding Team, we encourage you to phone 01392 294969 or email Costa Nassaris, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, to discuss your concerns.