PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the church.

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Our commitments

We have adopted, and are committed to implementing, the House of Bishops Safeguarding policies and good practice guidance (see the Parish Safeguarding Handbook). We commit 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 that may pose a present risk to others.

Click here to read our full Safeguarding Policy Statement.

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.

Parish Safeguarding Officer
Maureen Cain
07539 849 698
safeguarding@stmarysaom.org

Chester Diocesan Safeguarding Team
01928 718834 (option 4)
safeguarding@chester.anglican.org

If there is immediate risk or danger contact the police on 999

In the case of an emergency

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and/or your local authority Children or Adults Service.

Trafford Local Authority (Children)
0161 912 5125

Trafford Local Authority (Adults)
0161 912 5135

Out of Hours Support

The Diocese of Chester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Team is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.

This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Team to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.

Helplines

Safe Spaces England and Wales
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.
Email: SafeSpaces@FirstLight.org.uk
Safe Spaces Helpline: 0300 303 1056
Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 21:00
Saturdays: 09:00 - 13:00
Sundays: 13:00 - 17:00

Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).

Parent Line: 0808 800 2222

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours)

Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours)

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)

If you need to log a concern or allegation with our Parish Safeguarding Office, please use our safeguarding log sheet

Safeguarding log

Code of Conduct

For St Mary's Junior Church, a local code of conduct has been produced to be used alongside the national guidelines.

For further information about the national policies and procedures please visit the Church of England website