St Giles' PCC Safeguarding Policy
St Giles' PCC Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of our Christian faith.

We are all made unique and in the image of God.

St Giles’ works to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

There is more information about Safeguarding in The Church of England on the Diocesan website here Diocese of London Safeguarding

‘Jesus came that we might have life and have it in abundance’ St John 10 v 10.

Please contact The St Giles’ safeguarding team with any questions or concerns.

Additional resources

Helplines

  • NSPCC for adults concerned about a child - 0808 800 5000

  • Childline for children and young people - 0800 1111

  • Action on Elder Abuse (Hourglass) helpline - 0808 808 8141

  • 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline - 0808 2000 247 (women) & 0808 8010327 (men)

  • NAPAC offer support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse - 0808 8010331

  • Stop It Now preventing child sexual abuse - 0808 1000 900

  • Cruse bereavement helpline - 0808 808 1677

  • Family Lives support and advice on family issues - 0808 800 2222

  • MACSAS (Minister And Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) for people who have been abused by church officers - 0808 801 0340

  • Samaritans for people struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to - 116 123

Some sources of support for victims and families of abuse

Websites

St Giles’ PCC Safeguarding Policy Statement

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

  • We accept and endorse the principles of the House of Bishops’ Policy for safeguarding children (Protecting All God’s Children, 2010) and safeguarding adults in the Church of England (Promoting a Safe Church, 2006).

  • We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.

  • We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.

  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in a paid or voluntary position with children or adults at risk, including the use of Criminal Records disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

  • We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or adult at risk may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation. • We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.

  • We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate healing ministry.

  • We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or adult at risk. 

The PCC of this Church agreed and adopted the above Policy at its meeting on Sunday 24 April, 2022 and has reconfirmed annually since. 

We have confirmed appointments of Mark Hunter as our Church Safeguarding Officer,  Rachel Free as our Children’s Champion and Diana Morgan Gray as our Champion for Vulnerable People. 

Copies of the Parish’s Safeguarding Children and Young People’s policy and Safeguarding Adults at Risk policy are held by Mark Hunter.