Safeguarding: Promoting a Safer Church

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, The Parish of St Mark and St Stephen, Bush Hill Park 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 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.

We will:

• 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 notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to 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 Practices at least annually.

If you need to report a Safeguarding Concern, please contact:

Janice Dickson, Safeguarding Officer: 07940 150 907 safeguarding@stmarksandststephens.org.uk

Or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor: 02079321224 (Office Hours) Safeguarding@london.anglican.org

For 24/7 Urgent Concerns contact Thirty-One-Eight: 03030031111 Option 2