PCC Safeguarding Policy Statement
Parish of St. Andrew, Roxbourne
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. This implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
- We accept and endorse the principles set out in ‘Safeguarding in the Diocese of London’.
- We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- We recognize that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.
- We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
- We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation.
- We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.
- We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support.
- 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 vulnerable adult.
The PCC of this Church agreed and adopted the above Policy at its meeting on 27/4/25
The PCC review this policy annually.
Marita Brown is our Church Safeguarding Officer (PSO) safeguardstandrewrox@gmail.com
Barbara North is our Children’s Champion.
Copies of “Safeguarding in the Diocese of London” and any parish guidelines and procedures are held by the Parish Secretary, Ms Sue Barnard.
Contact for any safeguarding concern:
Angela Coleman: Dioscesan Safeguarding Advisor 020 7932 1224
Or email: safeguarding@london.anglican.org
Vicar: Rev. Lyndon North
Churchwardens: Kemi Aina Garry Williams
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Age UK is the leading charity for older people. You can contact Age UK for help, information and advice on 0800 678 1602, 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.
Childline is a free, private and confidential service designed to help anyone under the age of 19 with any issue they're going through. You can talk to their counsellors by calling 0800 1111 or email.
Stop it Now - Our confidential helpline 0808 1000 900, live chat and secure email are here for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse prevention.
Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) works to challenge and prevent the abuse of older people. Call their helpline on 0808 808 8141 or email helpline@wearehourglass.org.
NSPCC - If you're worried about a child or young person, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 for support and advice for free.
Family Lives - Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, helpline 0808 800 2222, email service at askus@familylives.org.uk, live chat and local services.
There are services that can help if you've been sexually assaulted, raped or abused. These include Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust and Male Survivors Partnership.
Refuge's 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) supports women fleeing domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Call 116 123 for free.
Galop - If you identify as LGBT+ and have experienced abuse and violence, you can call Galop – the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity – on 0800 999 5428 for emotional and practical support.
Men's Advice Line - Male victims of domestic abuse can call Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind (0182 3334 244) for non-judgemental information and support.
NAPAC supports adults recovering from childhood abuse. Call their free, confidential support line on 0808 801 0331.
Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141