Safeguarding
As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all. This page gives you contact details if you have any concerns.
Manchester Diocese has a special Listening Line: 0303 003 1111. This has been set up for those who have been affected either directly or indirectly by abuse in a church or cathedral setting. The helpline will be staffed by 31:8 Safeguarding Helpline. 31:8 are an independent safeguarding charity and the line is available 7 days a week. You may be asked to leave a message but will be called back. Calls will be handled sensitively and confidentially.
The Manchester Diocese Safeguarding site can be accessed here. A link to the Parish Safeguarding handbook can be found at the bottom of this page.
You will also find there the St John with St Mark’s Policy statements on Children, Young People and the church and the statement on Safeguarding Adults. Our co-ordinator is Joan Wild.
Joan can be contacted on 0161 761 6592 or jwild54@btinternet.com if you have any safeguarding questions or concerns. Alternatively, please contact either of the Wardens, Rosemarie Ashworth on 07739 415 9466 or June Banks on 07970 417 331.
If you wish to contact someone outside of the parish, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson on 0161 828 1451 or on AbbeyClephane-Wilson@manchester.anglican.org
Reporting a Child at Risk
Child abuse can involve physical injury, neglect, emotional or sexual abuse.
Abuse can happen to any child from any social background or ethnic group. It can involve a parent, another family member or someone else the child knows well, or it could be someone the child does not know.
So, if you suspect or believe a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, including any form of mistreatment or abuse, you should report your concerns.
Emergency
If a child is in immediate danger, you should contact the Emergency Services – 999 or Greater Manchester Police – 101.
Not an emergency
If there is no immediate danger, or you need advice or information, you can either telephone the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0161 253 5678 (outside normal office hours 0161 253 6606) or any of these:
- 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. They also have a very useful website: https://www.childline.org.uk/
Abuse of an adult at risk
An ‘adult at risk’ is a person over the age of eighteen who may not be able to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation and this may be due to age, illness or lifestyle. They may have difficulties in expressing feelings or making their wishes known, making them more susceptible to abuse.
Emergency
If an adult at risk is in immediate danger, you should contact the Emergency Services – 999 or Greater Manchester Police – 101.
Not an emergency
If there is no immediate danger, or you need advice or information, you can telephone Social Care Services:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Wednesday 10am – 5pm – 0161 253 5151
- Out of hours – 0161 253 6606
Other providers of help and support:
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 ((lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (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)
Support details
The following organisations are available for support:
- Survivors Manchester (men and boys) 0161 236 2182; support@survivorsmanchester.org.uk
- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis (women and girls) 0161 273 4500; help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
- Both of the above organisations are supported by National Survivor Helplines: women and girls can call Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999; whilst boys and men can access the National Male Survivor Helpline on 0808 800 5005.
- Those concerned about their own past or present behaviour should contact Stop It Now (0808 1000 900 or email info@stopso.org.uk), which is able to direct to local support.
Safeguarding Policy – Promoting a safer church, St John with St Mark, Bury
The following policy was re-approved at the APCM meeting held on 14th April 2024.
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church 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.
The Parish will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
- Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
- Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
- Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
- Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
- Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
- Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Joan Wild as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
Churchwardens: Rosemarie Ashworth & June Banks
Date: 14th April 2024
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