Safeguarding

St Mary of Bethany Church is committed to ensuring that the church is a safe and caring place for all to worship and meet as a church family safely. While safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church family it is managed by the Incumbent, Parish Safeguarding Officers, and our PCC.

If you believe a child or adult is, or may be, in danger of abuse please report this immediately to one of our Safeguarding Officers or clergy.

If you have concerns about a non-urgent situation, please do still talk to us, whether in person or via call / email.

Even if you feel it is a minor matter, please get in contact.

Jackie Broadfoot
Mark Wallace
Jess Moss
Sarah Macdonald
Ruth Sheldon

Helplines for support outside of church

Children:

  • Childline for children and young people – 0800 1111

  • NSPCC for adults concerned about a child – 0808 800 5000

  • Family Lives support and advice on family issues – 0808 800 2222

  • Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub - 03004 709 100 cspa@surreycc.gov.uk

Adults:

  • 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline – 0808 2000 247

  • Your Sanctuary (Surrey domestic abuse helpline 9am-9pm) - 01483 776 822

  • DeafHope (domestic abuse) (BSL) Text Number – 07970 350366

  • NAPAC offer support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse – 0808 8010 331

  • Action on Elder Abuse helpline – 0808 808 8141

  • SurvivorsUK – 0203 598 3898

  • National Rape Crisis Helpline – 0808 802 9999

  • National Association for People Abused in Childhood – 0808 801 0331

Other:

  • Samaritans for people struggling to cope and needing someone to talk to – 116 123

  • Modern Day Slavery Helpline – 0800 0121 0700

  • Cruse bereavement helpline – 0808 808 1677

  • MACSAS for people who have been abused by church officers – 0808 801 0340

  • The Survivors Trust – 0808 801 0818

Safeguarding of children, young people, and vulnerable adults

We are passionate about keeping everyone in our community safe, therefore safer recruitment and safeguarding training is essential for all who work and volunteer with us.

Our aim is to always deal with any concerns diligently regarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults, taking steps to ensure the safety of the people involved by immediately following the House of Bishops’ guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

You can view our full Statement of Safeguarding policy here.

St Mary of Bethany adopted the Church of England Promoting a Safer Church Policy Statement, House of Bishop’s Practice Guidance and supporting diocesan safeguarding protocols.

Volunteering with our ministries

We have a large team of fantastic volunteers across all our ministries at St Mary of Bethany who play such a vital part in the life of our Church family.
The Church of England requires us to ensure that everyone who is in a role within our church has adequate safeguarding training and safer recruitment (DBS etc.) in place.
If you would like to get involved in any of our ministries, you can access more information below and get in touch with our office or the leader of each ministry.

Friday Night Club
Friday Night Club (FNC) is a missional activity evening for 7–11-year-olds for both children of church members and those with no connection, yet.
Role description

Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training

Safer recruitment required:
An enhanced +barred DBS check
Complete an application form along with two satisfactory references
Sign a confidential self-declaration form
Read & sign the written agreement for volunteers & the code of safer working practice

CAMEO

Sunday morning youth & children’s groups

Worship team (band)

Service leading

PCC

Bethany Babes

Sunday evening youth cell (Fusion)

Service leading