St Matthew’s takes the care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously and word hard to ensure that we operate in line with current best practice, as recommended by the Diocese of London and the Church of England.
We believe the care and protection of all who are in involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a safer church for all.
We commit to the following:
- We accept and endorse the principles of ‘Safeguarding in the Diocese of London’.
- We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.
- We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.
- We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children, young people or adults at risk, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Services.
- We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child, young person or adult at risk may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation.
- We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.
- We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support.
- We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or adult at risk.
St Matthew’s has two Safeguarding Officers: Pam Tetlow and Julie Reynolds. Our Children’s Champion is Allie Brent (allie@stmf.org.uk).
Helplines
NSPCC for Adults concerned about a Child 0808 800 5000
Childline for Children and Young People 0800 1111
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline 0808 808 8141
24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
NAPAC Support for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse 0808 8010331
Stop It Now (Child Sexual Abuse Prevention) 0808 1000 900
Cruse Bereavement Helpline 0808 808 1677
Family Lives (Advice and Support on Family Issues) 0808 800 222
MACSAS (For people who have been abused by Church Officers) 0808 801 0340