Safeguarding at St Richard's

At St Richard's we take the safeguarding and care of the children and vulnerable adults who attend our church and use our premises very seriously.  Our Parish Safeguarding Officers are Mrs Elizabeth Kearns, who can be contacted at 0208 546 7871 or [email protected], and Mrs Ruth Ruse, who can be contacted at [email protected] or on 0208 940 9820.

If you have any concerns about safeguarding issues in churches or groups which are part of the Church of England Diocese of Southwark, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 020 7939 9423 (office hours), 07982 279713 (out of hours). Details of the team are given at the bottom of the page. If you have immediate concerns about someone's safety, please don't wait, but contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

If any adult or child is in danger, first ensure they are safe. If emergency help is needed dial 999. If you suspect criminal abuse is involved contact the Police by dialling 101.

In the London Borough of Richmond, if you are the adult victim of abuse, or you know an adult who you think is at risk, or has been abused, then you can report your concerns to the Adult Access Team by completing their online form at richmond.gov.uk/services/adult_social_care/safeguarding_adults/report_adult_abuse

If it is a child whom you are concerned about, ring 020 8547 5008 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, or 020 8770 5000 out of hours.

Other useful contact details:

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.

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (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 9am - 5pm).

Southwark Diocese (Church of England):

Please go to https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/

Details of the current Diocesan Safeguarding team can all be found there. 

The current Diocesan Policies and Procedures on safeguarding can be found at: https://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures

If you are unhappy about how a safeguarding matter has been handled, more information about how to make a complaint is available at: https://southwark.anglican.org/downloads/resources/Complaints%20re%20policy%20and%20against%20DSA%20230916.docx