Safeguarding

In accordance with the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017) and ‘Protecting All God’s Children’ (2010) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018) our church is committed to:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture.

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.

• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

• Create a safe and caring place for all.

• Have a named Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.

• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.

• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.

• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.

• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.

• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Raana Khatabakhsh as the Church Safeguarding Officer.

Incumbent: The Revd Jonathan Kester

Churchwardens: Samantha Singlehurst and Ekanem Peers

Date: 13 June 2024

The next review of this policy will take place at the first PCC meeting following the APCM to be held in May 2025.

This policy was signed by the Vicar and the church wardens.

• Our Safeguarding Officer is Raana Khatabakhsh
  email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  
  
• Our Children’s Champion is Maite Boudy
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• They can also be contacted by calling our office on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 10 and 1pm: 020 7235 4482
  
  
• The Vicar, Fr Jonathan Kester, can contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser’s number is 020 7932 1124

In situations of immediate risk contact the police on 999

We are located in the area covered by Westminster City Council. Follow these links for details of how to contact them on safeguarding matters.

Children

See this page on the Westminster Council website.
Duty Child Protection Advisor: 020 7641 7668

Adults

Emergency / out-of-hours team:
Outside normal office hours this team deals with statutory Mental Health Assessments, other emergencies concerning vulnerable adults and elderly residents, child protection emergencies and other children and family issues.
Tel: 020 7641 6000

Adult Social Care Team:
Supporting adults under the age of 65 with physical disabilities, older people with physical disabilities or mental health problems, and their carers.
Tel: 020 7641 1444 or 020 7641 1175
Text messages: 07944 521615
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• Thirtyone: Eight’s 24-hour helpline: 0303 003 1111
  website here
  
  
• Family Lives: 0808 800 222
  
  
• Childline: 0800 1111
  
  
• NSPCC helpline via the links on their website here
  
  

• Rehab Recovery - a helpline for those struggling with addiction issues here
  
  

Other Resources

• Parish Safeguarding Handbook
  
  
• Diocesan Safeguarding Webpages
  
  
• National Church of England Safeguarding Webpages