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.
St Matthew's Safeguarding Policies (click to download)
Safeguarding Policy - Children
Safeguarding Policy - Vulnerable Adults
Safeguarding Policy - Promoting a Safer Church
St Matthew's Safeguarding Team
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Sue Fraser on 07510 425619.
If you wish to speak to someone in person, speak to Sue or Jackie Farris who is the assistant churchwarden with responsibility for safeguarding.
You may also call the Parish Office (on 020 8390 5121) .
Please note these are not emergency numbers but if find yourself in a situation where you wish to call, it is very important you leave your message no matter how insignificant you might think it to be, and we will contact you with sensitivity and discretion.
In the case of an emergency please call 999.
At the Diocese
Diocesan 24hr Duty Helpline:
020 3874 6743 for urgent matters out of usual office hours
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser:
Pamela Chisholm – 020 7939 9423 or 07982 279713 pamela.chisholm@southwark.anglican.org
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers:
Marie Daly – 020 7939 9441 Mobile 07946 255295
Louise Vernon – 020 7939 9462 Mobile 07946 255622
General Helplines
General Helpline Numbers
For further information on agencies to contact if you are concerned about a safeguarding matter:
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: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).