Our safeguarding policy
Every person has a value and dignity, which comes directly from the creation of people in God’s image. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things, this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.
We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church.
We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working with children or adults at risk.
We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or adult at risk may have been harmed, cooperating fully in any investigation.
We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.
We will seek to offer pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse.
We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or adult at risk.
This policy has been agreed by the PCC in line with that of the Church of England.
Vicar: Rev’d Heather Atkinson
Churchwardens: Maria Wyard & Andrew Rixon
Our online services safeguarding policy
Online services on Zoom have a waiting room to enable the meeting hosts to refuse entry to anyone they consider to be a risk.
We will ask attendees to display their correct name on their screen or, if they’re unable to, one of the hosts may change it for them.
Services will not be recorded.
If the service is used by an attendee to display inappropriate, explicit or illegal content, one of the hosts will either:
remove them from the call; or
end the meeting if no other course of action is available.
If child sexual abuse material is shared, this will be reported to the Internet Watch Foundation.
Screen sharing and whiteboard sharing is disabled during services for everyone except the hosts.
Breakout rooms must have at least one host to enable the same level of security as above.
Any children that are on screen must have a parent or carer present at all times.
When children/vulnerable adults are on a video call, the hosts must be aware of any person on the call who could pose any kind of threat, and will remove that person from the call if they are causing distress.
John Loveday
Parish Safeguarding Officer
John is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult.
Anne Bishop
Children’s Champion
Anne is here to be an advocate for all children in parish life, making sure their views are heard and their needs are considered.
Key contacts:
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers: 020 7932 1224 | safeguarding@london.anglican.org
Thirtyone:Eight: 0303 003 1111
Family Lives: 0808 800 222
Childline: 0800 1111