Promoting a safer church

The care protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.

At St. John's we adopt the House of Bishops' safeguarding policy for Promoting a Safer Church which sets out the safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults’ policy of the Church of England. The policy offers six commitments:

• 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.

If you have concerns

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of abuse, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from one of the following:

• Helen Whitaker (St. John's Safeguarding Officer): 07961 619897
• Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Team: 0113 353 0257 or 07872 005189
• If there is immediate risk or danger please contact the police by calling 101

Other sources of help and support

There are several other organisations that can offer help and support:

• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Childine: 0800 1111
• Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900
• NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
• Samaritans: 116 123
• Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
• Leeds Domestic Violence Service: 0113 246 0401
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141