We take safeguarding and the care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously at St. Paul’s and follow the Church of England guidance – Promoting a safer church. If you are worried about a situation or a person using this church please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officers (contact details below) or the Churchwardens or the Rector. Contact numbers for help and support are towards the bottom of this page.
OUR SAFEGUARDING POLICY
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 3rd June 2025
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy 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 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 this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Mark Holl as the Parish Safeguarding Officer who can be contacted on –
Email: safeguarding@stpaulschichester.org | Phone: 07934 667804
The Assistant Parish Safeguarding Officer is Martin Troy who can be contacted on –
Email: safeguarding@stpaulschichester.org | Phone: 07530 977037
The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Colin Perkins who can be contacted via the Safeguarding team during office hours on –
Tel: 01273 421021 / 07500 771210 or email : safguarding@chichester.anglican.org
Please find our additional safeguarding policies by clicking on the links below.
Reporting abuse
If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.
Finding support
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt if we are not able to immediately assist you. Therefore here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
- 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.
- Stop it now: 0808 1000 900 anonymous helpline for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (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)
- Family Lives: 0808 800 2222 support with parenting and family life issues.
- NAPAC: 0808 801 0331 (lines open 10am – 9pm Monday to Thursday and 10am – 6pm Friday) support for those recovering from childhood abuse