Safeguarding at St Edward's

St Edward's follows the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, set out @ “A Safe Church” (http://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures) and Charity Commission guidance; St Edwards is committed to: promoting a safer environment and culture, promoting equal and non-discriminatory treatment in all aspects of the organisations’ work, safely recruiting and supporting all those with responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church, responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation, caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons, caring pastorally for all members, staff and volunteers as well as project beneficiaries, caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons and responding to those who may pose a present risk to others.

The understanding of abuse that is adopted in this policy follows statutory definitions set out in the Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation, as outlined in National Church Safeguarding instruments and Section 9, page 9.3+ of the Southwark Diocese A Safer Church Policy (ASC); abuse includes:

  • Physical, emotional and sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Financial abuse
  • Spiritual abuse
  • Domestic violence, abuse and controlling behaviour
  • Abuse of power in all forms including bullying

Further details about the signs of abuse can be found within section 9 of the ASC Policy, a copy of which is found in the Parish and StEP Office and included in the training of all church staff, volunteers and trustees.

The following are appointed as safeguarding officers locally:

  • Atim Robinson (aka Oji) as the Parish Safeguarding Officer - Messages can be left for Atim Oji, on 07422 653952.
  • Ruth Slater as the DBS checker - 07542 721322 - [email protected] 
  • Churchwardens: Errol Furlong and Paul Betts - please leave a message on 07422 653952 or email [email protected]

The following are the Diocesan Safeguarding Team:  To Contact the Diocesan Team please call:  

0207 939 9423 (Office Hours) or 0203 874 6743 (Out of Hours)

The work of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team includes:

  • responding to and supporting parishes where there are concerns about situations regarding children or adults who may be vulnerable, or when allegations of abuse have been made
  • taking a lead role when allegations are made or safeguarding concerns expressed about church officers
  • advising parishes on safeguarding policy and practice.

Pamela Chisholm, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser          

Louise Vernon, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Zoe Skilton, Safeguarding Training Administrator

The Local Authority numbers are: Bromley LADO -    Tel: 020 8461 7669 

  • Children’s services(Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm): 020 8461 7373/7379 /7026
  • Out of hours/weekends/public holidays: 0300 303 8671
  • Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):[email protected]
  • Concerned about a child's immediate safety, call 999 and ask for the police and if there is injury, for an ambulance.
  • NSPCC – 0800 1111 (for U18s) or 0808 800 5000 (adult reports concerns)

In the case of failure to abide by this policy, its principles and the overarching Diocesan Policy the following remedies are available:

  1. In respect of any trustee or member of staff, whether paid or a volunteer – the Diocesan complaints procedure, Section 6 ASC which recommends the resolution of the issue at local level in the first instance via the Incumbent.
  2. For any staff member, paid or voluntary, the grievance procedure
  3. In respect of the Incumbent – a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 either to the Archdeacon (Tel: 0207 939 9408) or directly following the guidance at: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/legal-services/clergy-discipline
  1. In respect of the Churchwardens – a complaint to the PCC via the Incumbent as Chair of the PCC or a complaint direct to the Archdeacon (Tel: 0207 939 9408) or the Bishop (Tel: 0207 939 9420)
  2. In respect of the Southwark Pastoral Auxiliaries (SPAs) – a complaint to the PCC via the Incumbent or to the SPA team at Diocesan House (Tel: 0207 939 9400) or the Archdeacon of Greenwich & Lewisham (Tel: 0207 939 9408) or the Bishop (Tel: 0207 939 9420)

The PCC Trustees will ensure that:

  • health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually
  • there are appropriate policies in place to tackle bullying, provide for protection on-line, ensure data protection and consent to photography in line with the GDPR and other legislation in force over time
  • there are complaints, grievance and whistleblowing policies in place and that all who make a complaint are treated fairly and have access to the relevant complaints, grievance or whistleblowing policy
  • there are procedures in place so that all users of the hall and church premises observe this safeguarding policy and, in the case of recognized organisations working with children and/or vulnerable beneficiaries will have in place their own policy of an equivalent standard
  • the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice is reviewed annually at the Parish APCM and we undertake regular reviews in the light of all new policy or advice from the Diocesan safeguarding team, legislation and following any incident or allegation.

All trustees and each person who works in the church community  will agree to abide by this policy and its principles and to observe standards of conduct in line with:

  • The Nolan principles of selflessness, integrity, impartiality and objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty and
  • The principles of pastoral care set out in Section 7 of ASC.