Safeguarding — GK Church

We take our Safeguarding responsibilities very seriously.

If you have any questions at all about how we look after the children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care, please speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Merja Hart at safeguarding@gkchurch.org or on 07791 040615.

If you are suffering from domestic abuse, or would like to talk to someone about that, please ring Caroline Davis on 07901 827774 - she is our point of contact on domestic abuse.

Full details of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, who can give expert and immediate support on any Safeguarding concern, including domestic abuse, are available here.

Practical guidance on safeguarding is set out in the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook.

If you believe someone is at immediate risk or danger, you should call the police on 999.

Other helpful numbers include:

Childline on 0800 1111 or webchat through childline.org.uk. For anyone under 19, to talk about anything. Free, confidential, and available any time, day or night. You do not have to give your name.
The NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or click here. This is a service for any adult with concerns about a child. You do not have to say who you are. Phone lines are open 10am to 4pm. You can also email help@NSPCC.org.uk at any time, day or night.
Samaritans, for people of any age who are struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to - phone 116 123. You do not have to give your name. You can also send an email to jo@samaritans.org, though a reply can take several days. You can also write a letter, to ‘Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS’.
Hourglass, a charity for protecting older people from harm and abuse. Their 24-hour helpline is on 0808 808 8141 or you can text them on 07860 052906. The service is free, confidential, and you do not have to give your name. You can also email helpline@wearehourglass.org or contact them by webchat, through their website.
24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP, part of the National Crime Agency) whose role is to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online - www.ceop.police.uk. Anyone of any age can contact CEOP.
Safe Spaces on 0300 303 1056 or click here for more information. For anyone 18 or over. This is a free, independent and confidential support service for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church. You do not have to give your name. Not a 24-hour service but open every day: see their website for details.

The Parochial Church Councils of St Mary’s and Christ Church have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England. These are contained in the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and include the following commitments:

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
Cooperating 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 or alleged to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them
Adopting a parish statement on domestic abuse

We take our Safeguarding responsibilities very seriously.

If you have any questions at all about how we look after the children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care, please speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Merja Hart at safeguarding@gkchurch.org or on 07791 040615.

If you are suffering from domestic abuse, or would like to talk to someone about that, please ring Caroline Davis on 07901 827774 - she is our point of contact on domestic abuse.

Full details of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, who can give expert and immediate support on any Safeguarding concern, including domestic abuse, are available here.

Practical guidance on safeguarding is set out in the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook.

If you believe someone is at immediate risk or danger, you should call the police on 999.

Other helpful numbers include:

Childline on 0800 1111 or webchat through childline.org.uk. For anyone under 19, to talk about anything. Free, confidential, and available any time, day or night. You do not have to give your name.

The NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or click here. This is a service for any adult with concerns about a child. You do not have to say who you are. Phone lines are open 10am to 4pm. You can also email help@NSPCC.org.uk at any time, day or night.

Samaritans, for people of any age who are struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to - phone 116 123. You do not have to give your name. You can also send an email to jo@samaritans.org, though a reply can take several days. You can also write a letter, to ‘Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS’.

24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP, part of the National Crime Agency) whose role is to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online - www.ceop.police.uk. Anyone of any age can contact CEOP.

The Parochial Church Councils of St Mary’s and Christ Church have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England. These are contained in the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and include the following commitments:

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

Cooperating 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 or alleged to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them

Adopting a parish statement on domestic abuse