Safeguarding and Child Protection
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others please seek advice form one of our Safeguarding Officers, one of the staff team, or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or Police without delay.

A big part of our mission and outreach is our work with children and families.. All those who serve on our teams have, and continue to receive the relevant training necessary for working with children and families.. All our team members have been DBS checked and approved to serve in their roles. We are supported by the Safeguarding Officer of Carlisle Diocese to whom we will will forward contacts.

Any member of the Church who suspects that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused in any way whatsoever should immediately contact the relevant authority or the police and follow their advice. Please also contact the dioceses Safeguarding officer Joanna Van Lachterop.
T: 07458 016884 E: [email protected]


Out of Hours Support:
If Joanna is unavailable and you are concerned that an adult is being abused, or at risk, you should report it by contacting Adult Social Care, Cumberland Council. Emergency Out of Hours - 01228 526690

If you are concerned about a child or young person, please contact:

1. Cumberland Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727 (if it relates to a concern in the Allerdale, Carlisle or Copeland area) or,

2. Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub on 0300 373 2724 (if it relates to a concern in the Barrow, Eden or South Lakeland area).


If you believe that a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, call the emergency services on 999.



Safeguarding officers within our church family.

Dr Madeleine Combrinck:
Safeguarding Officer for Wetheral
[email protected]


Mary Craik:
Safeguarding Officer for Holme Eden
[email protected]





Link to 'Promoting a Safer Church' Policy document.


Helplines for web

1. NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child and need advice or guidance on what to do.
2. Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
3. National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse or need help to report.
4. Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
5. Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
6. Victim Support Cumbria: 0300 303 0157. Emotional and practical advice to help people affected by crime in Cumbria.
7. LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
8. Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
9. Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602


Latest Safeguarding report:

The Benefice of Holy Trinity Wetheral and St Paul’s Holme Eden (Known as Eden Churches)
Parish Policy for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults: 2023-2024

The parishes of Holy Trinity Wetheral and St Paul’s Holme Eden have adopted the Safeguarding Policies & Guidance of the Church of England and the Carlisle Diocesan Safeguarding Policy.

Ethos Statement
The teaching of Christ establishes the special significance of every human being and especially the central place of children in the sight of God. Our church is committed to fulfil His law of love and to provide for the safety, wellbeing and proper development of all children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care. We will also properly equip and support those adults who work with and relate to them.

Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
The PCC has appointed a PSO who will ensure the implementation of this policy and the diocesan policy for Safeguarding, and make regular reports to the PCC and to the APCM.

The person appointed for Holy Trinity Wetheral is –
Name Madeleine Combrinck
e-mail [email protected]

The person appointed for St Pauls Holme Eden is –
Name Mary Craik
Tel no 07779773294
e-mail [email protected]

Health and Safety Assessment
The PCC will ensure that an annual assessment takes place to ensure that every activity which it organises for children or vulnerable adults, on or off the premises, will provide
Name of Leader Madeleine Combrinck


Allegations of Abuse
Allegations against anyone who attends any church activity will be fully and honestly dealt with. The Diocesan procedures will be followed and all allegations will be taken seriously and recorded. The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (and in an emergency, Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Services or Police) will be contacted without delay, and all information will be shared.

Disclosures
Any person who makes a disclosure or allegation of abuse will be sensitively and appropriately dealt with, following the Diocese. Any adult to whom a disclosure is made will contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and will follow his/her advice.

Suspicions
Any member of the Church who suspects that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused in any way whatsoever will immediately contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and follow his/her advice. Joanna Van Lachterop works full-time for the diocese.
T: 07458 016884 Email: [email protected]
If she is unavailable and you believe a child may be at immediate risk, you must contact Cumbria Children's Services using the 24 hour number (0333 240 1727) or the police.
Confidentiality
Confidential information concerning any adult or child will be fully protected.

Complaints
Any complaint against any member of the Church will be dealt with in accordance to the Diocese’s current complaints procedure. If a complaint relates to the treatment of children or vulnerable adults, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser will be informed immediately.

Monitoring & Review
This policy will be reviewed annually as part of the PSO’s preparation for the annual report to the PCC. Archdeacons will discuss it every three years with parishes at their Visitations.

Incumbent - Rev.Rory Clare
Churchwarden for Wetheral - Jim Johnson
Churchwarden for Wetheral - Maggie Harvey
Churchwardens for Holme Eden - Alan Massey

Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces info for web
Safe Spaces is a free, national support service independently run by Victim Support. It provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.

Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained support advocates, who are Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and who have received additional specific training in how the churches respond to abuse cases, the way in which faith and church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the particular issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the church.
The service provides remote support through our helpline, live chat service and website and is for anyone who feels they have experienced church related abuse of any form in relation to the Church of England, Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.

By ‘church related’, this may include:
Abuse by a church officer. A church officer is any person, ordained or lay, paid or voluntary, who holds a role in the church.
Abuse that is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.

The service is for people 18 or over who live in England and Wales. Survivors do not have to have reported the incident to the Church authorities or the Police in order to access support, and you do not need to be a current active member of the church in order to access support.

Please refer to the Safe Spaces website for further information on the Safe Spaces service and eligibility.
You can contact the Safe Spaces team by:
Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
Email: [email protected]
LiveChat: www.SafeSpacesEnglandandWales.org.uk
Website: www.SafeSpacesEnglandandWales.org.uk