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 Officer:  The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Rob Shrimpton and the Deputy Safeguarding Officer is Carol Baker. They can be contacted at safeguarding@ccnm.org.

Churchwardens: Dave Pamphilon (0208 942 5643) and 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
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 DETAILS:  

E-mail - safeguarding@southwark.anglican.org

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Pamela Chisholm

Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser:  Rebecca O’Neill

Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers:  Louise Vernon, Christina Hope and Sarah Jones 

Link to current edition of A Safe Church:
https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures

Page updated: 15.7.2025