Safeguarding Policy Statement 

St Saviour's values all people as bearing the image of God. As a church we are committed to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults. And we recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community. 

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, we are 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.

We will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) 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 St Saviour’s community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church. The above policy was agreed at St Saviour’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 1 February 2024

If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact any of these local contacts
• Clare Manuel, St Saviour’s safeguarding officer at safeguarding@stsaviours.church or 07874253444
• Ayozie Pollendine, St Saviour’s Churchwarden at churchwarden@stsaviours.church 
• Jo Bingham, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser at safeguarding@london.anglican.org or 020 7932 1224