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Safeguarding

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

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 Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.

  • 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.

The PCC of this Church agreed and adopted the above Policy at its meeting on 17th May 2019.

Virginia West is our Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO). Virginia can be reached on 07957 193945 and at: virginia.west@stmichaelshighgate.org.

The PCC shall review this policy annually. The next review will take place at the first PCC meeting following the APCM to be held in April 2020.

Vicar:

Olakunle Ayodeji
kunle.ayodeji@stmichaelshighgate.org

Churchwardens:

Alex Ollier
alex.ollier@stmichaelshighgate.org

Hanaan Marwah
hanaan.marwah@stmichaelshighgate.org

The original signed copy of this Policy is on display on St Michael’s internal noticeboard.

If you have any concerns abuse happening to a child, young person or vulnerable adult , please report immediately to Veronica Sanderson, Church Safeguarding Officer.

You can also call Annette Gordon, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser on: 020 7932 1224 or at safeguarding@london.anglican.org. In emergency or out of hours please call Diocese of London’s dedicated helpline (NSPCC) on 0800 731 9256.

You can also call Childline on 0800 1111 or CCPAS 24 hour Helpline (0845 120 4550).