At St Catherine's, the safety and wellbeing of all members and visitors is a primary concern and commitment. 
If you have any concerns - major or minor / past or present - regarding the safety of anyone at St Catherine's, please contact us. 
In the past, many churches and other institutions have unhelpfully and inappropriately covered up incidences of abuse or inappropriate behaviour. This approach has repeatedly failed in its duty of care. If you have concerns, please share them with us. By working together, we can help protect those who are most vulnerable.
If you have a concern, contact:
            The Churchwardens: [email protected] 
            The safeguarding officer is Valarie Stanislas. She can be contacted with any concerns on the dedicated safeguarding email account: [email protected]

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Safeguarding Policy

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 02.05.2023
In accordance with the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ (2017) and ‘Protecting All God’s Children’ (2010) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018) our church is committed to: 
Promoting a safer environment and culture.
Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any 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 those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:  
  • Create a safe and caring place for all.
  • Have a named Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
  • Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
  • Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
  • Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
  • 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.
  • Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Valerie Stanislas as the Church Safeguarding Officer:
Incumbent: Anthea Carmichael
Churchwardens: Mabel Doku & Eric Rose
Date: 02.05.2023
USEFUL NUMBERS
  • Police (all non-emergency enquiries)                                         101
  • Local Authority (LA) Children’s Services/Social Care              02089374300
  • LA Adults Social Care                                                                02089374303
  • LA Out of hours emergency Social Care duty Team                  02089375250
  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)                            02089374300
  • CHILDLINE                                                                               0800 1111
  • FAMILY LIVES (previously Parentline)                                   0808 800 222
  • Action on Elder Abuse                                                              080 8808 8141
  • Domestic Violence Helpline (for females)                                0808 2000 247
  • Mankind (for males)                                                                  01823 334244
  • Stop It Now! (Lucy Faithfull Foundation)                                0808 1000 900
  • Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser                                                020 7932 1224
  • CCPAS 24 hour helpline                                                           0845 120 4550      
  •                                                  (mention you’re from the Diocese of London)
  • ONLINE BULLYING/ABUSE                         WWW.BULLYING.CO.UK
  • LGBQT ABUSE                                                                         08009995428