Safeguarding 

The Diocese of Southwark, and the people in its parish churches, work hard to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults. We aim to create safe environments, where children and young people are nurtured and protected; and where all people, and especially those who may be vulnerable for any reason, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey with encouragement and in safety.  For more details about Safeguarding from the Southwark Diocese website click here.

Sometime ago, Southwark Diocese implemented ‘A Safe Church’ which provides a framework safeguarding policy for children and vulnerable adults.  

More recently the House of Bishops introduced ‘Promoting a Safer Church‘ and as a church through our PCC we seek to comply with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

What St Matthew’s does to keep your children and vulnerable adults safe:

• All those who regularly work with children and vulnerable adults have Disclosure and Barring Service checks and follow a recruitment process where external references are obtained.   They also undergo thorough safeguarding training run by the Diocese and monitored by the church.

• Registration forms are required for all children who attend regularly.  

• Allergy information and any appropriate medical information is requested from parents for younger children and this is confidentially shared.

• Permission for use of photographs is obtained from parents. 

• Registers are kept of attendance at all the children’s groups.