The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church communities making them a safe space for all.
St Peter and St Paul, Cudham and St Mary's, Downe have formally adopted the House of Bishops 'Promoting a Safer Church' Model Safeguarding Policy Statement. We seek to provide effective safeguarding training, support, advice and policies, so that children, young people and vulnerable adults are safe from abuse in the life of the Church and their wellbeing is enhanced. All of those who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults in our churches undertake a thorough checking process, culminating in a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which is renewed every three years.
Denise Angell is our Safeguarding Officer and any concerns regarding a child or adult of a safeguarding nature please contact Denise on 07957 206901.
Please click on the following links for more details:-
Parish Safeguarding Handbook - https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/603eb0893e402/content/pages/documents/1603726665.pdf
Safeguarding poster including contact numbers Promoting a safer church
For guidance for Victims and Survivors of Abuse Rochester diocese provide a help and support webpage - Diocese of Rochester | I am a victim/survivor (anglican.org).
More information can also be found by visiting the Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/promoting-safer-church-safeguarding
Safeguarding/Past Cases Review - Churches across the Diocese of Rochester are currently undertaking a comprehensive safeguarding review to establish that all known past cases of concern relating to church abuse have been considered and dealt with appropriately. If you are concerned about something you have experienced in a church, now or in the past, or you are worried about another person – perhaps a vulnerable adult or a child – there are people you can talk to and you will be taken seriously. Anyone who needs to come forward with information or make any disclosures regarding church related abuse are encouraged to make direct contact with the Diocese of Rochester’s Safeguarding team on: 01634 560000 or visit: www.rochester.anglican.org/safeguarding/
Recognising that this may not feel safe for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the church, a dedicated telephone helpline, operated independently from the church, by the NSPCC, is available. Calls can be made free on 0800 802020. Details can also be found on the Rochester diocesan website -https://www.rochester.anglican.org/safeguarding/past-cases-review/