Parish Safeguarding Policy
At St Swithun's the Vicar and the Parochial Church Council take the safety and wellbeing of all of our visitors and regular members most seriously. Please read our Parish Safeguarding Policy for more information.
You can also read the additional related policies we have in place:
Responding to safeguarding allegations
Parish Whistleblowing policy
Behaviour Code
E-Safety Policy
You may also like to read The Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults, "Promoting a Safer Church ".
Our Safeguarding Officer is Hilary Saunders.
Please contact her if you have any concerns about safeguarding.
Email: safeguarding@swithun.org.uk
You may also contact the Vicar, The Revd Luke Whiteman
Email: vicar@swithun.org.uk
Telephone: 01342 621141
How to contact the Diocese of Chichester Safeguarding Team, National Statutory Services and other agencies
If you are concerned about someone now you can always telephone 999
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 visit the Childline website , or telephone Childline on 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk/
If you are an adult and you need to access support about something that is happening to you, there are various support organisations that can help you listed on the Chichester Diocese website . Scroll down the page to find the links to the organisations. https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/Ihavebeenabused/
If you need help with drug and alcohol rehab and treatment, OK Rehab could help you. Treatment is available via both inpatient and outpatient treatment providers. They also work with clinics that are able to facilitate treatment taking place in your own home, who are able to provide professional intervention and home detoxification. www.okrehab.org/
If you need to report a safeguarding concern to the statutory authorities in Sussex, then the information you need is also on the Chichester Diocese website - click on the option on the left that most describes the situation you are concerned about, and follow the advice and further links you find there. Please remember to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as well once you have contacted the statutory authorities. https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/whatdoidoif/
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
What is important to remember is that acting on your concerns and seeking help or advice is hardly ever a bad idea. People sometimes hesitate because they think "What if I'm wrong?". The response to that is simply to ask, "What if you're right?" If you are unsure - seek advice.
Updated September 2024
St Swithun's Parochial Church Council
