Safeguarding

The parish of Canterbury: St Martin & St Paul is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officers, (PSOs).

The Diocese of Canterbury’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) who advise our PSOs this can be found at: https://www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding.

If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officers. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the Police and your local authority Children or Adult Social Care Services Services.

The protection of children and vulnerable adults within our churches is a top priority. We are alert to the need to ensure that everyone can enter our buildings and take part in our activities without risk of harm. This is something in which every member of the congregation has a role.

If you have any concerns or would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers – Lydia Newington and Monica Walling by calling our office number 01227 768072, and selecting Option 4. 

Monica Walling

You can read our full Safeguarding Policy here.

,,  More details about the Diocese’s Safeguarding Odvisers may be found at www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding/

Alternatively, all of these organisations are available to help:

Childline: 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk

Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line (Domestic Abuse):  0808 801 0327 www.mensadviceline.org.uk 

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

LGBT Switchboard: 0300 330 0630 www.switchboard.lgbt

YoungMinds: 0808 802 5544 www.youngminds.org.uk

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15-35): www.thecalmzone.net

SANEline: 0300 304 7000 www.sane.org.uk

Safe Spaces 0300 303 1059 (for those who have been abused by someone in the Church of England, Church in Waler or Roman Catholic Church) https://www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/

Kent County Council services:
Main contact: 03000 41 41 41
Adult social services & health: 03000 41 61 61

Children & Families Information Service: 03000 41 23 23

Children’s social services: 03000 41 11 11