St Philip’s Church regards the safe care and protection of children and vulnerable adults as of the utmost importance. 

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

For any other conversation on the subject, do not hesitate to email;

Church Safeguarding Officer: Chandra Tambimuttu safeguarding@specr.org

Children's Champion: Kazumi Tsutsui childrenschampion@specr.org

You may also contact us on 020 7938 1367 or email parishoffice@specr.org, The Rev'd Philippa Turner or the Wardens.  

Diocese of London Safeguarding Policy Statement - July 2023

Please click here to view our current  Safeguarding Policy Statement and Parish Safeguarding information HERE

Safeguarding Policy - General

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  Promoting a Safer Diocese - A Safeguarding Policy for the Diocese of London

•  We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.

•  We recognise 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.

St Philip's church requires all users of our space, include hirers of our halls to commit to follow this safeguarding policy.

We further commit to;

• 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.

Further information on Safeguarding

The Diocese of London Safeguarding team can be contacted on their Safeguarding Helpline number 020 7932 1224. The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Annette Gordon, can be reached on annette.gordon@london.anglican.org, 020 7932 1124.

If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns directly to the Church of England National Safeguarding Team please email safeguarding@churchofengland.org. They will ensure that any concerns are referred to the relevant diocese and/or statutory agency, as appropriate.

Here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

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: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm) 

Family Lives (previously known as Parentline) offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales. Please call them on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.