Romney Marsh Benefice
Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement
At Romney Marsh Benefice, we believe that the safety and well-being of all members and visitors is important. This is especially true of children and young adults.
It is essential that everyone who participates in the life of our church plays their part in promoting a safe church environment.
This page sets out our safeguarding policy for all and in particular children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is based on the good practice advice set out in the Church of England’s guidance (also called Promoting a Safer Church) which was produced by the church’s National Safeguarding Team. The guidance can be found at this link.
It also follows the Canterbury Diocesan Safeguarding policy which can be found at this link.
Each parochial church council has adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England, in particular we are committed to:
• the safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults
• carefully selecting and training paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, using the Disclosure and Barring Service amongst other tools, to check their suitability
• responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed
• cooperating fully with the police, local authority and any other statutory body in any investigation
• ministering appropriately to anyone, child or adult, who has experienced abuse
• extending pastoral care to those known to have offended against children or vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from them
The policy ensures that we meet our duties under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have ‘due regard’ to the safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops.
By applying this policy, we will seek to promote the welfare of all, work to prevent abuse from occurring, protect those at risk of abuse and respond well to those who have been abused. We will take care to identify situations where a person may present a risk to others and offer support to them, whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.
The Church is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ and his two greatest commandments of love for God and love for our neighbours. This means a welcome for all and especially for the most vulnerable within a community. Christ’s Gospel affirms the dignity and value of every human being and the importance of responsibility and trust.
Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and yet responding well when it has.
The Parish Safeguarding Coordinators are available to speak with adults or children.
Safeguarding parish co-ordinators
Lydd and Greatstone: Mrs Pat Carter Tel: 01797 320108 patinlydd@btinternet.com
Burmarsh: Chris Clark 07740 395497 chrisclarkcwdymchurch@gmail.com
Dymchurch: Chris Clark 07740 395497 chrisclarkcwdymchurch@gmail.com
Ivychurch: Mrs Pat Carter Tel: 01797 320108 patinlydd@btinternet.com
Newchurch: Peter Dunning 01303 311779 p.dunning@yahoo.com
New Romney: Gaynor Cobb 01797 363747 G7.cobb@gmail.com
Old Romney: Gaynor Cobb 01797 363747 G7.cobb@gmail.com
St Mary's Bay: Phil Bowman 07413 967934 philbowman@bigpond.com
St Mary in the Marsh: Roger Constable 01797 363198 roger.constable@btinternet.com
Brookland & Fairfield: Maxine Mills Tel 07940 329614 max-mills@outlook.com
Snargate and Brezett: Mrs Pat Carter Tel: 01797 320108 patinlydd@btinternet.com
Other important Contacts
Canterbury Diocesan Safeguarding team link
Any child wishing to talk about a problem can contact Childline on 0800 111
Any parent or carer wishing to talk about parenting problems can contact Family Lives on 0808 800 2222
During the day and in office hours KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Concerned about an adult?
- Call 03000 41 61 61 (text relay 18001 03000 41 61 61) or email social.services@kent.gov.uk
Concerned about a child?
- Call 03000 41 11 11 (text relay 18001 03000 41 11 11) or email social.services@kent.gov.uk
Out of hours and in an emergency
If you need to contact us outside of normal office hours, call 03000 41 91 91.
If you think someone is in immediate danger, the best thing to do is call 999 for the emergency services