Safeguarding at St Mary's & St Luke's
We understand safeguarding to be an integral part of the life and ministry of our Church. The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults visiting and participating in Church activities is important to us, everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a safer church for all.
We take safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. Any individual who wishes to come forward with information or to make a disclosure is encouraged to make direct contact with the Parish Safeguarding Officer, details below. Alternatively, you can contact the diocesan Safeguarding Team or speak to someone from a dedicated independent support service where this is more appropriate. All the details can be found on the Safeguarding pages of the diocesan website.
We take safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. Any individual who wishes to come forward with information or to make a disclosure is encouraged to make direct contact with the Parish Safeguarding Officer, details below. Alternatively, you can contact the diocesan Safeguarding Team or speak to someone from a dedicated independent support service where this is more appropriate. All the details can be found on the Safeguarding pages of the diocesan website.
Safe Spaces
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Although the churches have funded the service, it is run independently by the charity Victim Support, who are one of the leading charities providing specialist Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role at the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.
If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. |
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Our ResponsibilityIn March 2019 the PCC adopted the House of Bishops’ National Safeguarding Policy & Practice guidance which has now been formally adopted by the Diocese and throughout the Church of England. You can find out more about the national policies and procedures at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding . If you have any safeguarding concerns or issues of a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at www.chester.anglican.org/social-responsibility/safeguarding .
Parish Safeguarding OfficerThe PCC have appointed a Parish Safeguarding Officer - see below for contact details.
Safer RecruitmentWe are committed to following the current Church of England Safer Recruitment guidance for the appointment of staff and volunteers:
www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/safeguarding%20safer_recruitment_practice_guidance_2016.pdf All those work with young people and vulnerable adults in our church have an advanced DBS check and supply online Safeguarding Training to the Clergy, PCC Members, Church Officers and Junior Church Leaders. Policies & ProceduresClick here to see our Safeguarding Policy which is based upon this document the Parish Safeguarding Handbook and this Policy Statement from the House of Bishops
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If you have concerns about a possible abuse (including allegations):
- In an emergency, call emergency services 999.
- If you have concerns always contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer who will inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and social services.
- Keep a record of what happened, your concerns and your actions.
- Do not question or investigate.
- Do not promise confidentiality; tell them you will need to share the information.
- Assure them they are not to blame.
- Tell them what you are going to do and that they will be told what happens.
- Make careful notes of what is said, record dates, times, events.
- Report it to the Parish Safeguarding Officer and the Rector.
- Only tell those who need to know.
Useful Contacts & Links
Church Contacts
The Rector: Revd Mike Turnbull
Tel: 01270 665742
Email: revd.mike@stmaryswistaston.org.uk
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Joy Chaplow
Tel: 01270 747908
Email: safeguarding@stmaryswistaston.org.uk
The Diocesan Safeguarding including out of hours support can be found by clicking here
Thirtyone:eight
For out-of-hours safeguarding advice, ring our partner organisation, Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111. Thrityone:eight is an independent Christian charity that offers a telephone listening service for adult survivors of abuse to talk about their experiences in detail and in confidence with a sensitive listener. Download this leaflet for more information about the Thirtyone:eight listening service.
Other Contacts
Safe Spaces
We recognise that for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the Church, you may want to speak to a different independent charity specialising in supporting victims and survivors of abuse. Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service that provides a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church. You can email them at safespaces@splitz.org or via telephone on 0300 303 1056.
Opening hours run Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm (excluding bank holidays).
Cheshire East Children’s Services
Office hours 0300 123 5012
Out of hours 0300 123 5022
Cheshire East Adult’s Services
Office hours 0300 123 5010
Out of hours 0300123 5022
Police
Emergency 999
Non urgent 101
Action on Elder Abuse - UK Charity addressing elder abuse within people's own homes (whether by family, friends or paid staff), within sheltered housing, and within care homes and hospitals.
Tel: 0808 808 8141
CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Tel: 0870 000 3344
ChildLine - Helpline for children
Tel: 0800 1111
Kidscape - UK charity committed to keeping children safe from harm or abuse
Tel: 0207 730 3300
NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Tel: 0808 800 5000
StopItNow! - Help for anyone who wants to prevent abuse-including if you are worried about your own actions
Tel: 0808 100 0900
Women’s Aid - Free phone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0808 2000 247
The Rector: Revd Mike Turnbull
Tel: 01270 665742
Email: revd.mike@stmaryswistaston.org.uk
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Joy Chaplow
Tel: 01270 747908
Email: safeguarding@stmaryswistaston.org.uk
The Diocesan Safeguarding including out of hours support can be found by clicking here
Thirtyone:eight
For out-of-hours safeguarding advice, ring our partner organisation, Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111. Thrityone:eight is an independent Christian charity that offers a telephone listening service for adult survivors of abuse to talk about their experiences in detail and in confidence with a sensitive listener. Download this leaflet for more information about the Thirtyone:eight listening service.
Other Contacts
Safe Spaces
We recognise that for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the Church, you may want to speak to a different independent charity specialising in supporting victims and survivors of abuse. Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service that provides a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church. You can email them at safespaces@splitz.org or via telephone on 0300 303 1056.
Opening hours run Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm (excluding bank holidays).
Cheshire East Children’s Services
Office hours 0300 123 5012
Out of hours 0300 123 5022
Cheshire East Adult’s Services
Office hours 0300 123 5010
Out of hours 0300123 5022
Police
Emergency 999
Non urgent 101
Action on Elder Abuse - UK Charity addressing elder abuse within people's own homes (whether by family, friends or paid staff), within sheltered housing, and within care homes and hospitals.
Tel: 0808 808 8141
CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Tel: 0870 000 3344
ChildLine - Helpline for children
Tel: 0800 1111
Kidscape - UK charity committed to keeping children safe from harm or abuse
Tel: 0207 730 3300
NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Tel: 0808 800 5000
StopItNow! - Help for anyone who wants to prevent abuse-including if you are worried about your own actions
Tel: 0808 100 0900
Women’s Aid - Free phone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0808 2000 247
Online Safeguarding Training
The Church of England's Safeguarding Training Portal can be accessed here