Safeguarding

St Georges is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults, especially those who are vulnerable.

The care and protection of all children and adults within our church is a high priority.  We are committed to ensuring that everyone can take part in our activities without risk of harm.

We want all those involved in attending or visiting our church to feel safe and cared for and create a safe place where people feel able to disclose abuse e.g. at home, at school, at work.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we all have a crucial role to play in this. 

To ensure that this happens, we follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and work closely with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officers in the Diocese of Canterbury.

We also follow the House of Bishop’s Guidance on Safer Recruitment and People Management.

The PCC have appointed Sue Fotheringham and Rev. Jean Kerr as our Parish Safeguarding Officers.

Reporting a Concern

If you are concerned that a child or adult is being harmed or that they are at risk of being harmed, or if you yourself are being harmed, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers who will be able to offer help, advise and support in a safe and confidential manner.

If you feel that someone is at immediate risk of harm or that you have a concern about their safety, please call 999 for the Emergency Services.

You should also contact local authority Children or Adult Social Care on:

Children’s Social Services: 03000 41 11 11

Adult Social Services and Health: 03000 41 61 61

You can also contact the Canterbury Diocesan Safeguarding Officers by emailing: safeguarding@diocant.org

“The Diocesan Safeguarding Officers are qualified and experienced social care practitioners who can provide advice and guidance to parishes and others in the diocese on child and adult protection. They can offer advice, discuss any protection matters and clarify anything in the Diocesan Guidelines. They are always ready to work with you to plan a detailed response to any  protection issue, taking into account all aspects of your particular situation. Please do not hesitate to contact them; they are always very ready to help.”

Other helpful organisations:

Childline: 0800 111    www.childline.org.uk

Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247   www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line (Domestic Abuse): 0808 801 0327   www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

LGBT Switchboard: 0300 330 0630 www.switchboard.lgbt

YoungMinds: 0808 802 5544 www.youngminds.org.uk

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15-35): www.thecalmzone.net

SANEline: 0300 304 7000 www.sane.org.uk

Additional support is available from:

Safe Spaces, Helpline: 0300 303 1056 (available Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm; Saturdays 9am to 1pm;  Sundays 1pm to 5pm) (for those who have been abused by someone in the Church of England, Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church) https://www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), Support line: 0808 801 0331 (available Monday to Thursday 10am – 9pm; Friday 10am to 6pm).