As a Diocese we take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and we are committed to ensuring that our churches and buildings are safe places for all.

If you or someone you are concerned about is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, please contact one of our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers (office hours) - you can find their details below.

From 5pm on Friday through to 9am on Monday call 0303 003 11 11 (service run by thirtyone:eight)

Safe Spaces is an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. This independent service is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone - 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times), email - safespaces@victimsupport.org, or web-chat via www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/

A list of helplines offering support on a range of issues can also be found on the Church of England’s website at: www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/reporting-abuse-and-finding-support

Help and advice

We want to make sure you find the safeguarding guidance and advice you need. Please choose one of the options below that best describes you, or browse the tabs to right. If you still can't find what you are looking for, please contact one of our Safeguarding team.
 

Safeguarding bulletin

Each month we share a newsletter with the latest news and information from the Safeguarding Team. It is sent directly to church leaders, parish safeguarding officers, churchwardens and PCC secretaries. If you do not already receive it and would like to, please sign up here

Raising a complaint or concern about our safeguarding practice

As a Safeguarding Team, we endeavour to provide the highest level of professional service and support as possible. However, if you are concerned about any safeguarding practice or service you have seen or received either from the team, a church, or another part of the Diocesan support structure, please do contact us.

If you do not feel comfortable raising it with the team directly, you can approach the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel, an independent panel chaired by Dr Liza Thompson.

For more information about the Panel and how to contact them, please visit the Governance and Synods page

Key Contacts