Safeguarding

Children, young people and vulnerable adults

The Parish of St Marks, Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wells, is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults. We follow national guidelines in safeguarding policy and practice. For more information on national policies and safeguarding training please visit the Diocese of Rochester’s website.

If you have concerns over the welfare of a member of the church then please contact our safeguarding officer:

• Debbie Marsden, safeguarding officer for children, young people (under 18) and vulnerable adults 01892 526069

You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team via Rochester Diocesan office on 01634 560000

If you are worried about a child, young person or adult and the information you have suggests that they are at immediate risk of being harmed, you should tell the police without delay. This is an emergency and it is appropriate therefore to use the police emergency number 999.

If you are worried about someone but do not think that there is a risk of immediate harm, you should still speak to someone who can help as soon as possible. Whilst you can contact our safeguarding officer at the church, we are not an emergency service or a replacement for the Local Authority Children’s and Adult Services, and you should approach them directly.

The following freephone numbers may also be of help;

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111

Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900

National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC): 0808 801 0331

Samaritans: 116 123

thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS): 0303 003 11 11

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

Action On Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141

Respect 0808 802 4040

Further support for victims / survivors of abuse: https://www.rochester.anglican.org/safeguarding/supportforvictimsandsurvivors/