Parish Safeguarding Policy
We take the safeguarding of Children and Adults seriously here at St. Mary & St Helen Parish of Neston. A copy of our current policy is available here
If you or someone you are concerned about is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999
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.
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
LATEST UPDATES
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
We write following two publications. Firstly, The Anglican Church Investigation report is part of The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Secondly, the Pearl Report. The latter is a review into the activities of Victor Whitsey, formerly Bishop of this Diocese. The former is a report by IICSA into The Anglican Church.
On reading both of these reports we are filled with horror, deep concern and shame at the evil people in positions of privilege and trust have inflicted upon innocent young and vulnerable lives.
Though in one sense no words here can take away the effects of abuse on victims and survivors.weI do understand that talking with the right people can give relief and can bring healing. It is clear from the reports that engagement with and support for victims and survivors needs improvement.
The reports also make clear that robust policies and procedures can vastly improve how the Church handles Safeguarding responsibilities so to build a Safer Church. In recent years much has improved, in terms of governance, training, audit, personnel, policies, and procedures. However, there is still more to be done.
The Parish of Neston is committed to Safeguarding and we fully engage with the ongoing work of the Church of England to build the safest place it can be.
Chester Diocese has information readily available about the reports as well as responses from senior leaders within the Church of England. This includes a videoed response from Bishop Mark.
https://www.chester.anglican.org/news/publication-of-review-into-bishop-whitsey.php
If you have been affected by the publications or have any concerns that you feel drawn to speak about at this time support is available to you. Detailed below is the specialist support from the Diocese webpage.
If you are a victim, or you or someone you know is affected by the publication of the Pearl Review, please know that support is available.
Marion Forshaw
Terry Abel
​Churchwardens
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 support service that provides a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church. You can email them at safespaces@splitz.org or via telephone on 0300 303 1056.
Opening hours run Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm (excluding bank holidays).
For all reporting and enquires please email safeguarding@chester.anglican.org. Please note, this email address is monitored between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
For general safeguarding enquiries, call 01928 718834 ext 266 between the hours of 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Parish Safeguarding Officer
If you have any concerns in our Parish please contact our trained safeguarding officer for the Parish of Neston, Liz Ledsham.
Liz may be contacted on telephone: 0151 336 4781 or email: nestonsaeguarding@gmail.com