Safeguarding

St Peter’s is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Office, Joanne Curry, is the best person to speak to if you have questions or concerns about safeguarding or the welfare of a child, young person, or vulnerable adult. She can be contacted on: safeguarding@stpetersbury.church

St Peter’s has adopted the following policy statement — this, along with how to respond to a safeguarding concern, is available throughout our building and can be downloaded here.

•We welcome everyone to our church and recognise that everyone is an individual with their own needs, wants and vulnerabilities. We will work towards involving, empowering and improving the spiritual lives of those who attend our church for services or other activities.
•We recognise that we all have responsibilities and duties under the various laws, guidance and legislation to protect, safeguard and prevent any harm coming to all those who may come into our Church to worship, pray or undertake other activities.
•As a Parish we will commit ourselves to fully following the guidelines and requirements contained within the “Parish Safeguarding Handbook”. This Handbook is published by the Church of England and brings together the responsibilities set out by the House of Bishops safeguarding policy.
•We will commit ourselves to the safeguarding and protection of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church. We will also commit ourselves to following best practice recommendations that may meet the relevant guidelines or legislation.
•We will commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all to whom we minister. It will be the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
•We will undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable. We will support, resource, train, and regularly review those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
•We will commit each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.
•Organisations and groups that use our Church facilities will be required to commit themselves to the same guidelines and requirements and provide evidence to our Parish Safeguarding Officer that they have carried out the necessary checks and training of staff and volunteers.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson, she can be contacted at safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org or at 0161 828 1465 / 07384 460958

Out of Hours Support

The Diocese of Manchester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser 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 Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.

In the case of an emergency

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

Helplines

  •  NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).

  • 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)