Safeguarding
St Paul’s United Congregation takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. Our commitment is effected in a coordinated and supported manner and involves Church Safeguarding Officers, the Church Council, the Churchwardens, the Incumbent and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Concerns about children, young people and adults at risk will be diligently and promptly responded to according to our procedures, recognising the sensitivity it may hold for those involved.
The Church Council of St Paul’s adopted ‘A Safe Church’ on 12 February 2010 and last reviewed its safeguarding policies, procedures and practice on 9 March 2023. A copy of our safeguarding policy can be found below.
A copy of "A Safe Church" is available for download from The Diocese of Southwark’s website http://southwark.anglican.org/safeguarding/diocesan-policies-and-procedures
For all the latest national policy and practice guidance approved by the House of Bishops, please visit Policy and practice guidance | The Church of England
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, please see below details of who you should contact.
We take the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously at St Paul's.
The Parish Safeguarding Officers for this church are: Josephine Falayi (children & young people) who can be contacted on 07950 550597; and Winnel Radcliffe (vulnerable adults), who can be contacted on 07961 178883.
The Churchwardens for St Paul's are Chukwuemeka Solomon, who can be contacted on 07831 229669, and Josephine Falayi who can be contacted on 07950 178883
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor is Pamela Chisolm, who can be contacted on 020 7939 9423 (office hours) 07982 279713 (mobile) 020 3874 6743 (out of hours) or at [email protected]. The Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officers are Marie Daly 020 7939 9441 (mobile 07946 255295) and Louise Vernon 020 7939 9462 (mobile 07946 255622).
If you have immediate concerns about someone, please contact the police on 999 (in case of emergency) and/or your local authority Children or Adult Services.
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Children’s Services 020 8921 3172 (Office hours) 020 8854 8888 (Out of office hours)
Adult Services 020 8921 2304 (Office hours) 020 8854 8888 (out of office hours)
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 020 8921 3930
London Borough of Bexley
Children’s Services 020 3045 5440 (Office hours) 020 8303 7171 (Out of office hours)
Adult Services 020 8303 7777 (Office hours) 020 8303 7777 (Out of office hours)
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 020 3045 3436
Other useful numbers
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
Childline 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 your 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 0800 0699 784
If you are unhappy about how a safeguarding matter has been handled, and wish to make a complaint, please write to the Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, Chris Smart, c/o Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1 1HW, or e-mail him on [email protected]
Updated 30 April 2023