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

We aim to be a church where everyone feels safe and taken care of. “Safeguarding” means looking after each other, it is the responsibility of everyone in the church community and we take it extremely seriously. We have a friendly and dedicated team of safeguarding officers and champions for children, young people, vulnerable adults and people with disabilities.

If there is immediate risk of harm, please contact the emergency services on 999. 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.

If you have a concern the first person to contact is the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Chandra Tambimuttu. If your concern is about Chandra, or a paid member of staff please contact the Vicar, Revd. Philippa Turner. If your concern is about The Vicar or a member of the clergy then please contact Caryn Weber, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. All these contact details are below.

We are acutely aware of safeguarding failures in the Church of England following the publication of the independent review by Keith Makin, and the subsequent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, that many may have concerns or questions. As we pray for everyone involved, know that safeguarding and the care of all people, but especially children,  young people and vulnerable adults, is central to our shared life.  If you have any safeguarding concerns whatsoever, know that you can speak to the clergy, or our safeguarding officer Chandra Tambimuttu (email above).  The Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be reached at safeguarding@london.anglican.org. Safeguarding is the responsibility of us all. The Church of England website has various statements here: and a statement from the Bishop of London can be found here 

Diocese of London Safeguarding Policy Statement - July 2024

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.

Other Organisations:

If you’re struggling right now:

Samaritans Helpline: Call 116 123 - if you’d like to talk with someone on the phone.

Shout: Text ‘Shout’ to 85258 - if you’d like to talk by text instead of phone.

Organisations offering help and support:

RBKC – Children and Family Social Services: Website HERE

RBKC Kensington Town Hall Social Services: The Town Hall Hornton Street, LONDON, W8 7NX. Social Services line: 020 7361 3013 (Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 5pm. Please contact the out of hours service at other times). Emergency social worker, out of hours service: 020 7373 2227

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000- specialising in child protection, with statutory powers, which means we can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse. nspcc.org.uk

Stop it Now: 0808 1000 900 - anonymous support and advice to anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. stopitnow.org.uk

Childline: 0800 1111 - for any children who feel unsafe in any situation. www.childline.org.uk

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222 - help & support for families. www.familylives.org.uk

Thirtyone: Eight: 0303 003 1111. Helpline is staffed by trained professionals who provide safeguarding advice and guidance. They do not record calls so you can speak to us in complete confidence.  https://thirtyoneeight.org/help-and-resources/safeguarding-helpline

NAPAC: 0808 801 0331 – National Association for People Abused in Childhood.  https://napac.org.uk

Hourglass: 0808 808 8141 Confidential services provide information and support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect. https://wearehourglass.org/hourglass-services

The National Careline 0800 0699 784. Provides support and information to the elderly, their carers and their families. https://www.thenationalcareline.org

Hub of Hope:  UK’s largest mental health support directory. https://hubofhope.co.uk

Domestic Violence Support: For women: 0808 2000 247 - The National Domestic Abuse Helpline. https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
For men: 0808 801 0327, www.mensadviceline.org.uk

The Diocese of London website has links to other organisations, such as ones which can support Survivors of violence and abuse HERE