Safeguarding - Promoting a Safer Church

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.

Our commitments:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse or other affected persons
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk

You can view our full safeguarding policy here. This is inline with wider Church of England policy. You can view the House of Bishop's Policy Statement on Promoting a Safer Church here.

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.

Pastoral Care Policies

In March 2022, the PCC adopted two policies to help St Martin's church family care for each other well. The Pastoral Care Policy outlines the role of the Pastoral Care team and how they will consider how best to support an individual or family with a particular need over and above what is normally offered to all church family. The Hardship Fund Policy explains how St Martin's could support those with particular financial needs.

Safeguarding Contacts

If you have any concerns, or need to contact someone, please e-mail our safeguarding team on or by phone on 07870 973047.

Please don’t send sensitive information via email, but get in touch, providing a contact number, and our safeguarding officer will get back to you asap.

Manchester Diocese Safeguarding Officer
Abbey Clephane-Wilson
0161 828 1451
AbbeyClephane-Wilson@manchester.anglican.org

Stockport Council Social Services
Vulnerable Adults: 0161 217 6029 | www.stockport.gov.uk/report-suspected-abuse-or-neglect

Vulnerable Children:  0161 217 6028 | www.stockport.gov.uk/contacting-the-massh

If there is an immediate risk or danger please contact the police.

Other Helplines

• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111
• Stop It Now: 0808 100 0900
• NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
• Samaritans: 116 123
• Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• Action On Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141