A safe and caring place for all
At St Mary’s we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and are committed to making the Church a safe and caring place for all.
Our Safeguarding page sets out our approach to safeguarding and the policies and structures in place.
St Mary’s has appointed Catherine Wood KC as our Church Safeguarding Officer. Catherine is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, she can be contacted via the church office.
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 5th May 2019
In accordance with the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017) and ‘Protecting All God’s Children’ (2010) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018) our church is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Ms Catherine Wood QC as the Church Safeguarding Officer.
Incumbent: Rev Andrew Downes
Churchwardens: Mr Barry Pardon & Mrs Ann Sinclair
Signed for and on behalf of St Mary’s, Sunbury-on-Thames,
Rev Andrew Downes, Vicar, May 2019
Catherine Wood QC Church Safeguarding Officer
Our Church Safeguarding Officer is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or adult at risk.
You can contact her via the Parish Office on 01932 779431 or email [email protected]
Martin Towns, David Towns and Emma Langdon, Children’s Champions The Children’s Champion is an advocate for all children in all areas of Parish life, making sure their views are heard and needs are thought of. They can be contacted via the Parish Office on 01932 779431
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Diocese of London Safeguarding Team helpline: 020 7932 1224
NSPCC 24 hour helpline: 0800 731 9256
Thirtyone:eight helpline: 0303 003 11 11
Childline: 0800 1111
Follow our ‘Safeguarding Flow Chart’ so you know what to do if you see or hear something that worries you or a safeguarding concern is reported to you directly, raised anonymously or reported by someone within the parish.
To view our DBS policy
Click here
To view our Children and Young People in Church Safeguarding Policy
Click here
To view our ‘Lone Working Policy’
Click here
To view our ‘Social Media Policy’
Click here
Diocesan Safeguarding Team
If you would prefer to speak to someone outside of our church, please contact the London Diocesan Safeguarding Team on: 020 7932 1224 or email.
To visit the The London Diocesan Safeguarding page click here.
Alternative contact details
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900
NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
Samaritans: 116 123
Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Action on Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141