Safeguarding

St Mary's Policy Statement on Safeguarding Children and Young People can be found below.

Diocese of Manchester Safeguarding information can be found here. The latest Safeguarding newsletter is available Safeguarding News April 2022.

At St Mary's Parish Church, Prestwich, we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.

We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops' safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.

If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact
Kim Morgan-Jones (Parish Safeguarding Officer)
07910 003047
Kmorgan-jones@hotmail.co.uk

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson, she can be contacted at safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org or at 0161 828 1465 / 07384 460958

Out of Hours Support

The Diocese of Manchester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111 .

This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.

In the case of an emergency

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service.

Helplines

• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
• Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
• Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours).
• Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
• Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)

Policy Statement on Children, Young People and the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Prestwich

This statement was agreed at the Parochial Church Council meeting held on 22 May 2018.

• As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people.
• It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.
• We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church.
• Our church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people and to providing supervision.
• Our church is committed to following the policy and procedures published by the Diocese.
• The parish will adopt good practice guidelines.
• Each worker with children and young people must undertake diocesan Safeguarding training, know the guidelines and undertake to follow them. Each shall be given a copy of the Parish’s agreed procedures and good practice guidelines.
• Children and young people are an important part of our Church today
• They have much to give as well as to receive
• We will listen to them
• As we nurture them in worship, learning, and in community life, we will respect the wishes and feelings of children and young people.

The Parochial Church Council has also adopted a Safe Church Policy.