Safeguarding at St John’s

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

Contacts

St John’s Parish Safeguarding Officer is Julie Ferguson. Tel: 07999 084450

Our churchwarden is Eleanor Pinfold. Tel: 020 8644 8041

In an emergency:

Local authority children’s & adult services:

Sutton London Borough 020 8770 4343

Surrey [children] 0300 200 1006; Surrey [adult] 0300 200 1005

Social Services [out of hours]:

Sutton London Borough 020 8770 4343

Surrey 0300 200 1005

Local Police Child Protection:

Metropolitan Police 101

Surrey Police 01483 571212

or call 999

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).

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Hugh Constant, hugh.constant@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

St John's safeguarding policy promoting a safer church

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, our church 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 who may pose a present risk to others.

The parish will:

create a safe and caring place for all
have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer to work with the incumbent and the parochial church council 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 on church premises and on the parish website the details of whom to contact with 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 immediately notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and statutory agencies
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 Practice 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.

More information

Diocesan Safeguarding Handbook may be found at:

https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures