Safeguarding Policy
It is very important to St Luke’s that everyone feels included and safe and we have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England.
You can read St Luke’s Safeguarding Policy here
The Parish of St Luke the Evangelist, Maidstone
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 15th March 2021
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy St Luke’s Maidstone 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 that may pose a present risk to others.
St Luke’s will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have named Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) 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 in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are 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 notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
- 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 Practices 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:
- Steve Knowles and Melanie Williams as the Parish Safeguarding Officers for Children
- Clare Torrens as the Parish Safeguarding Officer for Vulnerable Adults
Incumbent: Rev Gareth Dickinson
Churchwardens: Tony Chadwick, Melanie Williams
In particular we are committed to:
- the safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults
- carefully selecting and training paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, using the Disclosure and Barring Service amongst other tools, to check their suitability
- responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed
- co-operating fully with the police, local authority and any other appropriate statutory body in any investigation
- ministering appropriately to anyone, child or adult, who has experienced abuse
- extending pastoral care to those known to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them
Safeguarding Contacts
If you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult please raise it with our safeguarding officers.
St Luke’s has appointed:
Steve Knowles and Melanie Williams as the Parish Safeguarding Officers for Children
Clare Torrens as the Parish Safeguarding Officer for Vulnerable Adults
Clare Torrens
Parish Safeguarding Officer for Vulnerable Adults
Melanie Williams
Parish Safeguarding Officer for Children
Steve Knowles
Parish Safeguarding Officer for Children
Our Safeguarding officers are available to speak with adults or children and can be contacted on 01622 661169 or using this form:
Other key Contacts at St Luke’s:
Churchwardens: Tony Chadwick, Melanie Williams
Vicar: Rev Gareth Dickinson
If you would prefer to speak with someone outside the church:
Fiona Coombs
Canterbury Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07548 232395
fcoombs@diocant.org
Paul Brightwell
Canterbury Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07398 009951
pbrightwell@diocant.org
Additional information can be found on the Canterbury Diocese safeguarding page here
Authorised Listeners are available to anyone in our parish who wishes to discuss their experiences of past abuse. The listener will provide an attentive and attuned ear to help individuals reflect on their feelings, assist in thinking about their next step and generally provide them with support.
The Diocese has appointed a group of Authorised Listeners, all of whom are qualified professionals with counselling experience. They are able to offer up to 4 sessions free of charge. A request for an Authorised Listener should be made via the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers.
Details of who to contact in a different diocese are here (link to ACNY safeguarding page)
Further guidance can be found in the National Church’s Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance.
Additional Contact Details:
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
Let’s talk PANTS !
NSPCC’s “Talk PANTS” video teaches children important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.
CHILDLINE: 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
Any child wishing to talk about a problem can contact Childline
FAMILY LIVES: 0808 800 2222 www.familylives.org.uk
Any parent or carer wishing to talk about parenting problems can contact Family Lives
STOP IT NOW: 0808 1000 900
NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
SAMARITANS: 116 123
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE: 0808 2000 247
ACTION ON ELDER ABUSE: 080 8808 8141
