Sections on this page:
Further information from the Church of England:
- Promoting a Safer Church – policy practice and guidance
- Promoting a Safer Church – parish safeguarding handbook
1. Promoting a Safer Church
The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church
Holy Saviour Church, Croydon’s Commitment:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk
Reporting abuse and finding support
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED:
That someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary, report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.
Local contacts available to speak to if you have any concerns:
Name: Pearl Simpson
Role: Parish Safeguarding Officer
Tel: 020 3784 3017
E-mail: holysavsafeguarding@hotmail.com
Name: Doreen Shaw
Role: Parish Safeguarding Officer
Tel: 020 3784 3017
E-mail: holysavsafeguarding@hotmail.com
Name: Kate Singleton
Role: Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Tel: 020 7939 9423
E-mail: kate.singleton@southwark.anglican.org
Local Authority Social Services (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm):
- 0208 726 6400 main council number
- 0208 255 2888 for urgent child protection matters that require the same day intervention from a SPOC social worker
Finding support
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt by our not being able to immediately assist you. Therefore, here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
Contact your local Diocesan Safeguarding Team
2. Parish Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Policy Promoting a Safer Church
The following policy was agreed at Holy Saviour Church, Croydon’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 9th July 2019.
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, 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 who may pose a present risk to others.
The parish will:
- create a safe and caring place for all
- have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) 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 on church premises and on the parish website the details of whom to contact with 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 immediately notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies
- 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 Practice 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 Pearl Simpson & Doreen Shaw as the Parish Safeguarding Officers.
Incumbent: Revd Tomos Reed
Churchwardens: Redva Williams & Sheri Yusuf
Date: June 2023
3. Policy for Responding to Domestic Abuse
All forms of domestic abuse are wrong and must stop. Holy Saviour Church, Croydon is committed to promoting and supporting environments which:
- ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse
- protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm
- recognise equality amongst people and within relationships
- enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to appropriately and consistently.
Holy Saviour Church, Croydon recognises that:
- all forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the survivor and express an imbalance of power in the relationship
- all survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
- domestic abuse can occur in all communities
- domestic abuse may be a single incident but is usually a systematic, repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency
- domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour
- working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse.
Holy Saviour Church, Croydon will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by:
- in all our activities —
- valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse
- in our publicity —
- raising awareness about other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public and women-only areas of relevance to survivors, children and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse
- when concerns are raised —
- ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help
- working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community
- in our care —
- ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse
- identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
If you have any concerns or need to talk to anyone, please contact:
24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Bromley & Croydon Women’s Aid: Tel: 020 8313 9303