Safeguarding
We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance. Once a year - with the last review on Thursday 15 June 2023 - the Parochial Church Council (PCC) reviews and adopts Promoting A Safer Church: Safeguarding policy statement for children, young people and adults (attached below).
Our aim is to provide a safe culture and to ensure that people working with children and adults when they are vulnerable are correctly trained and vetted. Issues will not be ignored and we encourage a culture of caring for victims/subjects of allegations and perpetrators. Safeguarding appears on every PCC meeting agenda, to manage, progress and be informed of any issues.
To report a safeguarding concern or allegation, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding Safeguarding, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer: Judy Duffield - email: [email protected] or contact via the Parish Office - 01959 561330 or [email protected] (9am to 1pm, Monday to Wednesday and 9am to 5pm on Friday).
You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01634 560 000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
If you or someone you are concerned about is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01634 560 000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
For more general support:
Safe Spaces is an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. The Safe Spaces initiative is funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone - 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times) or visit: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Information on how victims and survivors can report abuse within the Church and where to gain support can be found here: Support for victims and survivors - Diocese of Rochester (anglican.org)
Download a full list of support organisations and services
Further information on Safeguarding in the Diocese of Rochester can be found at:
Safeguarding - Diocese of Rochester (anglican.org)
Loving God, we pray that this church may be a place of welcome, security and compassion. Keep us watchful yet caring, trusting yet ready to question, that all who worship here may do so in safety and in the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Taken from Towards a Safer Church – liturgical resources from the Church of England’s Liturgical Commission and commended by the House of Bishops).