Safeguarding Children and Adults who may be vulnerable
Responding to Domestic Abuse
‘We take the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously at St Hilda’s. If you need support please scroll further down to see the national and local helpline information we have included below. If you need to make contact with us
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer Stella Agunabor can be contacted:
Tel: 07832345934
Our Churchwardens can be contacted:
Mrs Trish Sarris & Mr Christopher Rainsford
Tel: 0208 613 0033 (office)
Email: church.admin@sainthildas.org
We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:
for children and young people
• are youth-friendly and child-friendly and nurture their positive development
• enable children and young people to be active contributors to the church community
• protect children and young people from actual or potential harm
for adults who may be vulnerable
• ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse
• encourage adults who may be vulnerable to lead as independent a life as possible, to choose how to lead their life, and to be active contributors to the church community
• protect adults who may be vulnerable from actual or potential harm
for those suffering domestic abuse
• recognise equality amongst people and within relationships
• refuse to condone any form of abuse
• protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm
for all people
• enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to openly and consistently
To get help with child and adult safeguarding issues:
Lewisham Borough Children and family Services 020 8314 6660 or out of hours call 020 8314 6000 Click here for Website
Lewisham Borough Adults Tel: 0208 314 7777; Email: SCAIT@lewisham.gov.uk
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000
(lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
(lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141
(free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
Southwark Diocese Safeguarding referrals / general enquiries: safeguarding@southwark.anglican.org / Telephone: 0207 939 9441 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
For urgent out of hours advice: (Mon to Frid, after 5pm / weekends and bank holidays) please contact 020 3874 6743.
Emergencies: If you suspect you or someone is at risk of immediate harm, phone 999.
To see the policy and procedures which form and undergirds our Safeguarding at St Hilda’s can be seen here Southwark Diocese Safeguarding Policy.
The form summary parish policy which is derived from these can be seen here
St Hilda’s Parish Safeguarding Policy.
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Why does safeguarding matter in a Christian community?
Jesus talked of the kingdom of God belonging to children; he gave them status, time and respect. Jesus also showed himself to be compassionately on the side of those without power, reaching across social barriers with the inclusive love of God.
A Christian approach to safeguarding children, adults who may be vulnerable and those in abusive relationships therefore asks both individuals and communities to create a safe environment for them, to act promptly on any complaints made, to care for those who have been abused in the past, and to minister appropriately to those who have abused.