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Safeguarding

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The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community so that all can flourish in faithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. and know the love of God.

We all have a responsibility to care for one another, and to keep people safe from harm, and it is especially important that children and vulnerable adults are protected.

Our work is based on the following six safeguarding commitments, agreed on by the bishops of the Church of England in 2017;

  • Promoting a safer environment and culture
  • Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children 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

Safeguarding Nationally

The National Safeguarding Team (NST) is involved with;

  • Developing and implementing national policy
  • Casework on complex and high profile cases
  • Commissioning Safeguarding Practice Reviews
  • National survivor support and engagement work
  • Co-ordinating independent diocesan safeguarding audits
  • Strengthening and supporting national safeguarding networks
  • Implementation of relevant Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) recommendations

For more information about these areas of work please click here

Safeguarding in a Church of England DioceseDiocese A geographical area composed of a number of parishes, under the administrative and spiritual jurisdiction of a Bishop.

All 42 dioceses of the Church of England employ a Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA). A DSA is the first point of call for someone wishing to report an allegation of abuse. They manage allegations, advise survivors and work closely with external agencies. They are also involved with training, policies and procedures.

You can find your local Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser by clicking here

Disclosing Abuse

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

Details of the safeguarding team based in your diocese can be found via the relevant diocesan website. You can find your local Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser by clicking here

If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns directly to the Office of the ArchbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. of YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York. you can contact the Provincial Safeguarding Adviser, Sukhbir Singh at tel. 01904 707021 (main reception),  or at email: sukhbir.singh@churchofengland.org 

Support for those affected by abuse

If you are a survivor of abuse in a church context, and would like to talk to someone about this, the DSA in your area will be able to talk you through the different options available for you. You can find your local DSA by clicking here

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.

You can contact the Safe Spaces team online here or Telephone: 0300 303 1056  (answerphone available outside of opening times)
or Email: safespaces@firstlight.org.uk

Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm
Saturday 9-1pm
SundaySunday Observed by Christians as a day of rest and worship. Traditionally regarded as the first day of the week, the day on which Christ's Resurrection is believed to have taken place. For this reason it replaced the Jewish Sabbath in Christian practice. 1-5pm
 

If you would value support from people who have been through similar experiences, you can contact MACSAS, Minsters and ClergyClergy Cleric, an ordained person. Derived from the Greek word for a 'lot', this term refers to anyone ordained to Christian ministry, including deacons, priests and bishops. The clergy have specific responsibilities and duties within the Church which set them apart from the laity, the ordinary members. Sexual Abuse Survivors. MACSAS is a support group for women and men from ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. backgrounds who have been sexually abused by Ministers or Clergy, as children or as adults. Please see their website at www.macsas.org.uk.

The following groups may also be of help:

  • 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 (free phone number for landlines and mobile phones and open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
  • Hourglass Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm). Provide support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect.  
  • The National Association of People Abused in Childhood: Helpline: 0800 801 0331 www.napac.org.uk

Further information about available support on a number of issues can be found at the BBC Action Line webpage