SAFEGUARDING

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern


If you are concerned that a child or an adult is, or may be, at risk of abuse this should be reported immediately. If it is an Emergency situation, call 999 before reporting it to the Safeguarding Officer or clergy.

If it is a non-emergency situation you can report this either in person, via email or by completing a Safeguarding Concern Form. The Safeguarding Officer or clergy, will then contact the Diocese Safeguarding Officer and ensure we respond appropriately.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our community.

We will ensure that we will:

  • adopt and implement the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policy and practice guidance.

  • Promote and publicise the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy statement, and ensure all church officers have access to it.

  • Have a plan in place that sets out, in line with national and local priorities, how the policy will be put into action.

  • Ensure that any person who works with vulnerable groups is aware of and abides by national and local safeguarding guidance.

  • Review the policy regularly to ensure best practice.

Church of England and Guildford Diocese Safeguarding Policy

We adhere to the Guildford Diocese Safeguarding Policy which incorporates the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy and Guidance. If you wish to see more details of the Diocese Safeguarding policies please click here. We have adopted the Church of England’s House of Bishops’ Promoting a Safer Church Safeguarding Policy which can be found by clicking here.

This policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 17th October 2022. All policies and safeguarding procedures are reviewed annually by the PCC.

Safeguarding is overseen by:

Additional support and information can also be found on the Diocese Safeguarding website: Safeguarding - Diocese of Guildford (cofeguildford.org.uk)

If you wish to speak with the diocesan safeguarding team, they can be contacted on 01483 790379 or email safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk  (Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm).

Serious safeguarding matters will be forwarded to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Jackie Broadfoot (or the police if immediate action is required) and we will follow the advice given.

National helplines: 

NSPCC – 0808 800 5000

Childline – 0800 1111 

Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900 

NAPAC – 0808 801 0331 

Samaritans – 116 123

Family Lives – 0808 800 2222 

National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247 

Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141

‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.’ - Proverbs 31:8