Safeguarding

We used to talk about child protection.  Now the legal term is safeguarding and, as well as looking at how we protect children, it also encompasses keeping vulnerable adults safe too.  We are not just thinking about protecting people from sexual, physical, domestic, mental abuse or other harm. 

As a church, we want people to feel safe to come to church, to worship and to grow in their faith.  This happens when we value each person, treating everyone with respect, as Jesus did with every individual He met. He modelled for us how we should relate to each other whilst He was on earth.     

The Diocesan guidelines and policy manual that we follow, called 'A Safe Church', is a good reference tool, detailing best practice as well as how we must respond if a problem arises. 

We want to continue to:

      Build on St John’s character as a community that cares for and supports each other

      Create a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone 

      Create a youth-friendly and child-friendly environment

      Run our activities as safely as we can, keeping our buildings safe, our activities safe, minimising risks, and having enough leaders

      Raise any concerns with Catherine, Penny, or the church wardens in confidence, without taking part in gossip

If you would like to know more, please feel free to dip into 'A Safe Church'.  It is available in the ring binder for reference in the Vestry, or online at  
https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures 
Or of course, do come and speak to one of us.

We take the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously at St John's.

Our Parish Safeguarding Officers and our Churchwardens can be contacted as below:

Safeguarding Officers: Catherine Timmins (0208 942 8441) - email: Catherine Timmins ;
Penny Welsh (07894 659 120) - email: Penny Welsh 
Churchwardens: David Greenfield (0208 942 7470) - email: David Greenfield ;
Linda Kelley (0208 336 1639) - email: Linda Kelley


Further contacts:

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 ( free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Children and Young Persons Safeguarding: https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200235/safeguarding_children
or Call: 0208 547 5008 or 0208 547 6036 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday). Out of hours: 0208 770 5000.
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Adult Safeguarding: https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200368/help_to_stay_safe/232/adult_safeguarding_–_helping_adults_at_risk
or Call: 0208 547 5005 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday). Out of hours: 0208 770 5000.
Email: adult.safeguarding@kingston.gov.uk

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Kate Singleton kate.singleton@southwark.anglican.org  020 7939 9423  Mobile 07982 279713 (for urgent matters out of hours)
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers, Marie Daly and Louise Vernon
Marie Daly marie.daly@southwark.anglican.org 020 7939 9441 Mobile 07946 255295
Louise Vernon louise.vernon@southwark.anglican.org 020 7939 9462 Mobile 07946 255622 
Link to current edition of A Safe Church:
https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures

Page updated: 3.7.2019