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. 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 set out in ‘Safeguarding in the Diocese of London’.
We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.
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 both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult 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 appropriate pastoral support.
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 vulnerable adult.
Our safeguarding officer is Astrid Ludemann. She is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the welfare of a child or adult at risk. She can be contacted on safeguarding@ststephensw2.org.
Our children’s champion is Ryan Purcell, he can be contacted on ryan.purcell@ststephensw2.org. The vicar is Revd Richard Dryer who can be contacted on richard.dryer@ststephensw2.org or 020 7221 1366. The church wardens, Susan Ho & Michael White can be reached on parishofficew2@gmail.com
Other useful numbers: The diocesan safeguarding team helpline number is 020 7932 1224; the local authority phone number to report concerns with children or young people is 020 7641 4000 (020 7641 6000 out of hours); the local authority contact for safeguarding concerns relating to adults is 020 7641 2176; the NSPCC helpline for adults concerned about a child is 0808 800 5000; the Childline phone-number for children and young people is 0800 1111; the thiry-one:eight (previously CCPAS) helpline number is 0303 003 1111.
Complaints Policy
We have a complaints policy that is separate to our safeguarding policies, to enable people to raise concerns that are not related to safeguarding.
A complaint is a written or verbal expression of dissatisfaction or disquiet about an action, or lack of action by a person acting on behalf of the church, or about the policies and procedures of the church. This would be dealt with under our complaints policy if the complaint does not include an allegation that a child or adult who may be vulnerable has been harmed or is at risk of harm, or that an adult or another child may have caused harm to a child or adult who may be vulnerable.
The first point of contact for a complaint should the Church Wardens.