St Paul's Church Grove Park Chiswick

Welcome to St Paul's

SAFEGUARDING

Our parish of St Paul's in Grove Park, Chiswick is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). The Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO.

Our church is committed to:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture.

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related tochildren, young people 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.

The Parish will:

• Create a safe and caring place for all.

• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the

incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.

• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for

children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.

• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

• 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 victims/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 are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact Shelagh Allsop 07710 385839 who is the St Paul's PSO.

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

In general terms, if you are worried about something, it can help a great deal to talk about it, either here at church or there are some phone lines listed below that you can call free of charge.

You can download the Church Of England's Parish Safeguarding Handbook at:

https://www.sendparishchurch.co.uk/ParishSafeGuardingHandBookAugust2019Web.pdf

In it you will find explanations of what Safeguarding is all about and the Church of England’s response to the Safeguarding challenges and needs of parishes.

Shelagh Allsop is our Parish Safeguarding Officer. She helps the PCC and St Paul’s create a safe, welcoming culture, and implements our safeguarding policies for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Shelagh acts as the main link between the parish and the Diocese and works closely with Rev’d Caroline to maintain an overview of all church activities, ensuring that diocesan safeguarding guidelines are followed and that proper advice is sought and matters reported where necessary.

Ella Lofts is our Children’s Champion. This role which gives children and young people a voice within the work of the parish, and ensures that the question ‘How does this impact on our children?’ is always asked. She aims to engage and build positive relationships with children, young people and other members of the St Paul’s congregation and ensures that their perspectives and wishes are heard. She is responsible for ensuring the presence, needs and interests of children are recognised and promoted.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a

Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the

Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.

Vicar: Rev'd Caroline Halmshaw
vicar@stpaulsgrovepark.com 07742 738660

Safeguarding Officer: Shelagh Allsop 07710 385839
Children's Champion: Ella Lofts

Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Sara Black

Safeguarding@london.anglican.org

020 7932 1224

Social Services for the London Borough of Hounslow

020 8583 6600 ( working hours )

020 8583 2222 ( out of hours )