Safeguarding

St Mary's Parish Church takes the welfare of all people seriously. It is is committed to:

The care, nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults.

The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults.

Being a safe and caring community which provides a loving environment where victims of abuse can report or disclose abuse and where they can find support and best practice that contributes to the prevention of abuse.

The Parochial Church Council has adopted the national Church of England House of Bishops’ policy, ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ – details of which can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/policy-practice-guidance

If you have a safeguarding concern, suspect or want to report abuse within the Church please contact either our safeguarding officer or the diocesan safeguarding advisor, both details are below.

Advice can be sought from the following download leaflet 'You Will Be Listened To'

The Diocese of Newcastle’s Safeguarding policies and procedures, together with national Church of England documents relating to Safeguarding, can be viewed on the Diocesan website: www.newcastle.anglican.org

The Parish's Safeguarding Officer is Mark Fleeson who can be contacted on 01289 389269 and [email protected]

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Ms Ruth Rogan. She may be contacted on 07825 167016 or via email at [email protected].

The assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Mr Andrew Grant who may be contacted on 07741 633670 or via email at [email protected].

If you suspect that a child or adult may be in danger, please contact the police immediately.

Useful 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 offer support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse - 08088010331

Stop It Now preventing child sexual abuse - 0808 1000 900

Cruse bereavement helpline - 0808 808 1677

Family Lives support and advice on family issues - 0808 800 222

MACSAS for people who have been abused by church officers - 0808 801 0340

Samaritans for people struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to - 116 123

We are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims/perpetrators of Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adults.

The PCC has adopted the Church of England's policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England's website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Heather Stianson, who may be contacted at church or by email [email protected]