Every person has value and dignity that comes directly from the creation of human beings in God’s own image and likeness (cf. Genesis 1.27). Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Failure to respond in a way that shows respect for the value of all, according to their needs, undermines the issues at the heart of Christian faith.

St Paul’s Wibsey church recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young persons and vulnerable adults accepting as a minimum the House of Bishop’s policy on Safeguarding 'Promoting a Safer Church' and any additional procedures of the Diocese of Leeds and recommended good practice, while being responsive to local parish requirements.

People having any concern about the safeguarding of a child/young person (anyone under 18) or a vulnerable adult in our church can contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer (Anita Youngman: 01274 921595), or a Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser:

Carla Darbyshire: 07399 809732, [email protected]
Jenny Leccardi: 07872 005189, [email protected]
Narinder Lyon: 07872 005309, [email protected]

IF THERE IS IMMEDIATE RISK OR DANGER, PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE ON 999

Other useful contacts:
-Bradford Safeguarding Adults Team: 01274 435400 during office hours; 01274 431010 at all other times
-Bradford Safeguarding Children Team: 01274 437500 during office hours; 01274 431010 at all other times
-NSPCC: 0808 800 5000 (if you are worried about a child)
-Childline: 0800 1111 (if you are a child or young peson and are worried about anything)
-Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900 (if you are worried about your online behaviour or someone's else)
-NAPAC: 0808 801 0331, [email protected] (National Association for People Abused in Childhood, provides support to adults who have been abused in any way as children)
-The Truth Project: 0800 917 1000, weekdays 8am to 10pm, Saturdays 10am to 12pm (Giving victims and survivors the opportunity to share their experiences in writing, on the telephone or in person)
-Samaritans Helpline: 116 123, open 24 hours (Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to)
-National Domestic Violence: 0808 2000 247, lines free and open 24 hours (Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse)
-Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 814, free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm
-Modern Slavery - Salvation Army: 0300 303 8151 (Provides support services for adult victims of trafficking and modern slavery)

For a list of external links about safeguarding: https://www.leeds.anglican.org/content/external-safeguarding-links#what-we-do

For a copy of the parish safeguarding handbook: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ParishSafeGuardingHandBookAugust2019Web.pdf

Photo by Adrian , Canada, from Freeimages.com