Andrea Kirkby, Safeguarding Officer
We take our Safeguarding responsibilities very seriously.
If you have any questions at all about how we look after the children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care, please speak to our Safeguarding Coordinator, Andrea Kirkby at safeguarding@gkchurch.org or on 01580 211 037.
If you are suffering from domestic abuse, or would like to talk to someone about that, please ring Caroline Davis on 07901 827774 - she is our point of contact on domestic abuse.
Full details of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, who can give expert and immediate support on any Safeguarding concern, including domestic abuse, are available here.
Practical guidance on safeguarding is set out in the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook.
You can get immediate support from Childline on 0800 1111 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. If you believe someone is at immediate risk or danger, you should call the police on 999.
Other helpful numbers include:
Samaritans, for people struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to - 116 123
Hourglass, for protecting older people from harm and abuse - 0808 808 8141
24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP, part of the National Crime Agency) whose role is to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online - www.ceop.police.uk
The Parochial Church Councils of St Mary’s and Christ Church have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England. These are contained in the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ and include the following commitments:
The safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults
Carefully selecting and training paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, using the Disclosure and Barring Service amongst other tools, to check their suitability
Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed
Cooperating fully with the police, local authority and any other appropriate statutory body in any investigation
Ministering appropriately to anyone, child or adult, who has experienced abuse
Extending pastoral care to those known or alleged to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them
Adopting a parish statement on domestic abuse