Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of our Christian faith. We are all made unique and in the image of God. Jesus came that we might have life and have it in abundance (see John 10.10).

‘Safeguarding’ means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture in all our churches. In order to achieve this we need to do a lot of hard work. We will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults. We will work to prevent abuse from occurring. We will seek to protect those who are at risk of being abused and respond well to those who have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.

The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all. In order to do this we must be obedient to Christ who placed a child in the midst of his disciples and encourages us all to be childlike in our faith (see Matthew 18.1-5). So we must practise fully and positively a ministry to all children, young people and adults, and respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.

OUR PARISH SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS ARE:

  • Rodney Ovenden (St Anselm's; lead safeguarding officer)

  • Dave Farrell (St Anselm's)

  • Tekha Kidane (St Anselm's)

  • Kerry Glencorse (St Anselm’s)

OUR CHURCH WARDENS ARE:

  • Susannah Wiltshire

  • Tom Shakespeare

Where to get help with child and adult safeguarding issues

  • 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).

Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers contact details

DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISER:

Pamela Chisholm: pamela.chisholm@southwark.anglican.org - 020 7939 9423 - Mobile 07982 279713 (for urgent matters out of hours)

ASSISTANT DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISERS:

Marie Daly: marie.daly@southwark.anglican.org - 020 7939 9441 - Mobile 07946 255295

Louise Vernon: louise.vernon@southwark.anglican.org - 020 7939 9462 - Mobile 07946 255622

Resources

A Safe Church - The Diocese of Southwark's manual of policies, procedures and guidelines for safeguarding children, safeguarding adults who may be vulnerable, and responding to domestic abuse