Safeguarding

We take the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously at St Peter's.

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Simon Gill.

We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:

For children and young people

• are youth-friendly and child-friendly and nurture their positive development
• enable children and young people to be active contributors to the church community
• protect children and young people from actual or potential harm

For adults who may be vulnerable

• ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse
• encourage adults who may be vulnerable to lead as independent
• a life as possible, to choose how to lead their life, and to be active
• contributors to the church community
• protect adults who may be vulnerable from actual or potential harm

For those suffering domestic abuse

• recognise equality amongst people and within relationships
• refuse to condone any form of abuse
• protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm for all people
• enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to openly and consistently

Jesus talked of the kingdom of God belonging to children; he gave them status, time and respect. Jesus also showed himself to be compassionately on the side of those without power, reaching across social barriers with the inclusive love of God.

A Christian approach to safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and those in abusive relationships therefore asks both individuals and communities to create a safe environment for them, to act promptly on any complaints made, to care for those who have been abused in the past, and to minister appropriately to those who have abused.

As part of this we at St. Peter's have adopted 'A Safe Church'. A copy is available at this link (www.southwark.anglican.org/what/diocesan-policies-procedures) and at church.

For more information about where to get help with child and adult safeguarding issues

• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
• 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 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
• Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 ( free phone Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
• Surrey County Council - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub 0300 470 9100 (Multi Agency Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm), 01483 517898 (Out of hours to speak to the emergency duty team). Contact if concerned about the safety of a child or young person or to report if you or another adult is at risk of abuse or neglect or suspect. Email for concerns about children and young people -csmash@surreycc.gov.uk . Email address for concerns about an adult's safety - ascmash@surreycc.gov.uk (emails are dealt with during normal office hours).

Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers contact details are:

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Kate Singleton kate.singleton@southwark.anglican.org 020 7939 9423 Mobile 07982 279713 (for urgent matters out of hours)
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers, Marie Daly and Louise Vernon
Marie Daly marie.daly@southwark.anglican.org 020 7939 9441 Mobile 07946 255295
Louise Vernon louise.vernon@southwark.anglican.org 020 7939 9462 Mobile 07946 255622