Safeguarding

In Our Church

The wellbeing and safety of all who attend our events is very important to us at St Mary’s. We’ve been working hard to ensure we have good policies and practices in place to protect both young and old people in the church.

If you are a child and you need to talk to someone about things that are happening to you that you don’t like, please click on this link which takes you the Childline website, or telephone Childline on 0800 1111.

St Mary’s Church, Fittleworth Safeguarding Policy [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.

Angharad Greenway, Parish Safeguarding Officer

and David Crook, Priest-in-Charge

October 2025

Click the following links for more information:

• Our Safeguarding policy
• Our e-safety policy
• How we will respond
• Working with children – behaviour code
• Our whistleblowing policy

We have a fully-trained Safeguarding Officer, Angharad, who has plenty of experience working both with the church and in the education sector. If you have any concerns or queries regarding safeguarding at St Mary’s Fittleworth please don’t hesitate to contact Angharad – she will be happy to help, either by email or telephone 01798 865570.