PARISH SAFEGUARDING POLICY
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police on 999 and/or your local authority Children or Adults Service
At the Parish of Neston we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.
We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops' safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer:
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Liz Ledsham. Email: nestonsafeguarding@gmail.com
A copy of our current policy is available here
We subscribe to national policies of the Church of England with regards to safeguarding Adults and Children and are committed to the following:
- 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 Diocesan Safeguarding team can be contacted at safeguarding@chester.anglican.org or on 01928 718834 (option 4)
Further information can be found on the Diocese of Chester website
https://www.chester.anglican.org/support-services/safeguarding/
Or in a Church of England document entitled 'Promoting a safer church' located at https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-12/PromotingSaferChurchWeb.pdf
Out of Hours support
The Diocese of Chester partners with Thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Team is unavailable - this also includes safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police on 999 and/or your local authority Children or Adults Service
Safe Spaces However, we recognise that for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the Church, you may want to speak to a different independent charity specialising in supporting victims and survivors of abuse. Safe Spaces is a free and independent service providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church of England, the Catholic Church i england and Wales or the Church in Wales.
Email: safespaces@FirstLight.org.uk
Safespaces Helpline: 0300 303 1056.
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 21:00, Saturday 09:00 -13:00 and Sunday 13:00 - 17:00
Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
To read the letter from the Bishop of Chester to the Diocese of Chester with regard to the Makin review and the resignation of the Archbishop of Cantebury click HERE
A note from Bishop Julie regarding safeguarding concerns relating to Mike Pilavachi:
As many of you are aware, the National Safeguarding Team and the Diocese of St Albans are investigating a number of safeguarding concerns relating to The Revd Canon Mike Pilavachi (a founding member of Soul Survivor).
If you would like to speak to anyone connected to this investigation or have been affected please be assured that any concerns raised will be treated with the utmost sensitivity. Access to counselling and support is available. Please contact Jeremy Hirst at the St Albans Diocesan Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org or Judith Renton, Ian Bowles or Anthony Clarke at the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org who will listen to what you have to say.
If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by this news and want to talk to someone independently, you can call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056. Our own Diocesan Safeguarding Team can also signpost you to agencies that provide support - safeguarding@chester.anglican.org