Benefice Safeguarding Policy Statement

The parochial church councils (PCCs) of Holy Trinity Folkestone, St George’s Folkestone and St Paul’s Sandgate have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Diocese of Canterbury. In particular, we are committed to:

• the safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults;
• carefully selecting and training paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, using the Disclosure and Barring Service amongst other tools, to check their suitability;
• responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed
• co-operating fully with the police, local authority and any other appropriate statutory body in any investigation;
• ministering appropriately to anyone, child or adult, who has experienced abuse;
• extending pastoral care to those known to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them.

Diocese

• Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is Fiona Coombs 07548 232395 or FCoombs@diocant.org

Holy Trinity

• Parish Safeguarding Coordinator is Heather Sutherland 07837 117818
• Wardens' details and contact form

St George's

• Parish Safeguarding Coordinator is Katie Janman 07964 992282
• Wardens' details and contact form

St Paul's

• Adult and Child Safeguarding Coordinator is Barry Lock 01303 982704 or 07504 039194
• Wardens' details and contact form

If a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm, call 999.

Any child wishing to talk about a problem can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Any parent or carer wishing to talk about parenting problems can contact Family Lives on 0808 800 2222.

Other National helplines:

• NSPCC – 0808 800 5000
• Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900
• NAPAC – 0808 801 0331
• Samaritans – 116 123
• National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
• Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141