St Justus Church
Safeguarding

Safeguarding

REPORTING ABUSE AND FINDING SUPPORT

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

ST JUSTUS CHURCH, ROCHESTER

At St Justus we take safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. If you have any concerns about safeguarding where a person is not in immediate danger then please contact our safeguarding officer Karen Byrne or speak to our Vicar or Church Warden:

Parish Safeguarding Officer
Karen Byrne
safeguarding@stjustus.org
01634 818353

Church Warden
Wilfred Fenton
office@stjustus.org
01634 818353

For queries to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team please contact:

Lead Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and Rochester Cathedral Safeguarding Officer
Greg Barry
greg.barry@rochester.anglican.org
01634 560000
07585 952174

https://www.rochester.anglican.org/safeguarding/

The Rochester Diocesan Safeguarding Team is available Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00 (excluding bank holidays). For safeguarding advice outside of these hours please see the following options:

  • For non-urgent enquires email the Diocesan Safeguarding Team who will respond as soon as possible during office hours.
  • For urgent safeguarding advice contact your local social services, out of hours contacts can be found on their websites.  
  • If someone is at risk of immediate harm contact the police on 999

In addition, 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/


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 Helpline0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
  • Child-line0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
  • National Domestic Violence Helpline0808 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 Helpline080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)

POLICIES

At St Justus Church we believe that the church should be a place where all people feel welcomed, valued and safe. As such, we recognise the importance of good safeguarding procedures. We have adopted the Church of England Promoting a Safer Church Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Adults. It can be accessed online and it is also displayed on our Safeguarding notice board at church.

Parish Safeguarding Handbook

The Code of Safer Working Practice