Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is: Ruth Abernethy - Tel: 07781 181 281 or e mail [email protected] and can be contacted about any safeguarding related matter.

Salisbury Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers

In ensuring high standards of practice in safeguarding, we are supported by the Diocese of Salisbury's safeguarding team, who work closely with the Guernsey Police and specialist staff of the States of Guernsey Committee for Health and Social Care.

The Safeguarding Advisers are qualified and experienced social care practitioners who can provide advice and guidance to parishes and others in the diocese on child and adult protection. They can offer advice, discuss any protection matters and clarify anything in the Deanery Guidelines. They are always ready to work with you to plan a detailed response to any protection issue, taking into account all aspects of your particular situation. Please do not hesitate to contact them; they are always very ready to help.

In the Diocese of Salisbury, there are two Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers (DSAs), who work together in a job-share arrangement, providing safeguarding cover throughout the week. These are Jeremy (Jem) Carter and Heather Bland.

Jem Carter has lead responsibility for the Deanery of Guernsey and will have general oversight on all matters relating to the Island. In in his absence you should speak to Heather Bland, who will have full access to relevant safeguarding records and will also provide advice in line with this handbook about any safeguarding incident or query.

Jem Carter works 9 am - 5 pm, Tuesday - Friday inclusive, either from Church House, Salisbury or from home. Jem is also the dedicated Safeguarding Adviser to Salisbury Cathedral. Jem can be contacted by email on [email protected]. He is also available via mobile phone on 07469 857888. An on-line discussion can be arranged if necessary.

Heather Bland works 9 am – 5 pm, Monday - Wednesday inclusive, either from home or Church House, Salisbury. Heather can be emailed on [email protected] or contacted via mobile phone on 07500 664800. Again, an on-line meeting can be arranged if needed.

On call service

The Diocese of Salisbury also provide a limited ‘on call’ DSA service from Monday - Thursday inclusive, until 9 pm. After 9 pm, it is likely that any situation will be an emergency one, in which case the Police should be contacted. Call provision is shared between Heather and Jem as below:

Wednesday and Thursday evenings: Jem Carter

Weekend cover 

After 5 pm on a Friday, an external provider thirtyone:eight is contracted to provide an out of hours safeguarding service until 9 am the following Monday. They should be contacted in respect of any concerns over this period via their 24/7 helpline – tel 0303 0031111. They will provide initial advice and direction and send an alert to the DSAs, for their attention and follow-up action when they return to work after the weekend. Further information regarding ‘thirtyone:eight’ can be found on their website https://thirtyoneeight.org/ which also contains a wealth of generic advice on safeguarding issues.

For safeguarding information from the Diocese of Salisbury, click here.

Further Safeguarding Information

More information about the Church of England's commitment to safeguarding can be found here.

The Church of England Diocesan safeguarding contacts can be found by clicking this webpage

If you are concerned about a child in Guernsey or Alderney, contact the Islands Safeguarding Children Partnership.