Safeguarding
At Saint George the Martyr (SGTM) we affirm the Church of England’s ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across the church and that everyone associated with SGTM and who comes into contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults, has a role to play.
All safeguarding work is undertaken within a legislative framework supported by government guidance which sets out a range of safeguarding duties, responsibilities and best practices. SGTM ensures ‘due regard’ is taken to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this includes both policy and practice guidance). A copy of ‘Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishop’s policy statement (2017)’ can be found here. We accept and endorse the principles set out in this policy statement.
PCC Safeguarding Policy Statement
We at SGTM are committed to
- Creating a safe, caring and nurturing place for all people – particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Taking an approach to safeguarding that believes everyone has a role to play
- Having a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the Rector and the PCC to implement policy and procedures
- Exercising proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
- Listening to and taking seriously all those who disclose abuse
- Cooperating fully with any investigation
- Offering pastoral support to victims/survivors of abuse
- Safely recruiting, training and supporting all those with any responsibility for children, young people and vulnerable adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse
- Displaying in the church building and on the church website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns
- Taking steps to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises. This includes notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies promptly
- Caring for and monitoring any member of Saint George the Martyr who may pose a risk to others whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties
- Reviewing annually our Health and Safety Policy, Procedures and Risk Assessments
- Reviewing annually the implementation of our Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice
- Challenging any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.
Each person in the staff team, the PCC and serving on a team in church agrees to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
Policy & procedure
If you would prefer to request our safeguarding policy by email, please contact our church office via our [ Contact Us ] page.
Report a concern
If you have any questions about safeguarding at Saint George the Martyr Holborn or want to report a concern, please email safeguarding@sgtm.org or call 0207 404 4407 and ask for Ben Towers, our Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).
Safeguarding contacts
Saint George the Martyr
- Ben Towers – Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
Camden Diocese
- Michelle Burns, Safeguarding Advisor Edmonton, safeguarding@london.anglican.org
- Safeguarding Helpline 020 7932 1224 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
- In an emergency or out of hours call the Thirtyone:eight helpline on 0303 003 1111
National Services
- Childline: 0800 1111 (free 24 hour helpline) for children and young people in the UK. For those who are deaf or struggle to using a regular phone the textphone service is available on 0800 400 222
- NSPCC: child protection helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free 24 hour helpline unless using a mobile)
- Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free 24 hour helpline)
- Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (free 24 hour helpline)
Local Services
- Holborn Police – 101 or 999 in an emergency
- Camden Council Children services: 0207 974 3317 or out of hours emergency is 0207 974 4444 option 1
Camden Council Adult Safeguarding Team: 020 7974 4000 (option 1), or email adultsocialcare@camden.gov.uk
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