Safeguarding at St Thomas Church
The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.
The Parochial Church Councill of St Thomas with All Saints Woodside is committed to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture.
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others
Links to the Parish Safeguarding Policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook are below:
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from the Parish Safeguarding Officer or, if necessary, report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.
- The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Jonathan Cook. Phone 07909 962321 Email safeguarding@lymingtonchurch.org
- Alternatively, you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Jackie Rowlands. Phone 01962 737317 or 07921 865374 Email safeguarding@winchester.anglican.org
- Hampshire County Council out of hours service 0300 555 1373
- For all emergency situations, contact the police on 999.
Finding support
We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt by our not being able to immediately assist you. Therefore, here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:
- 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: 116123 (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 9-5pm).
- Stop it Now: 0808 1000 900
- NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
- Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
