Safeguarding help for adults

The information you will find here is relevant for any adult who is concerned about something they have experienced within a church setting, or if they are worried about another person.

Welcome and thank you for visiting this page

If you or someone you are concerned about is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999.

Our commitment to you

As a Diocese we take our responsibility to safeguard all those who enter our churches and buildings seriously.

If you need to contact us about something you have experienced in a church, now or in the past, or you are worried about another person - perhaps a vulnerable adult or a child -  please be assured that whatever you share with us will be taken seriously.
 

Worried about a child or young person

If you are worried about a child or young person (under 18 years) but do not think that there is a risk of immediate harm, you should still speak to someone who can help as soon as possible.

If you are a member of a church, you can contact your Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) - you should be able to find their details on the parish website or noticeboard.

If you feel comfortable doing so, you can also speak to the vicar or someone else you trust at the church. Alternatively, you can contact the local authority children's services for advice.

You can also contact a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. 

Another organisation that offers 24 hour support in relation to children and young people is:

• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
   

Worried about yourself or another adult

It may be that you have experienced something within a church context now, or in the past, that has made you uncomfortable or that you now understand is not right. 

You should speak to someone that you trust.

You can contact a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

Safe Spaces is an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. This independent service is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone - 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times) or visit: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/

Other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 ((lines free and open 24 hours)
• Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
• Hourglass (elder abuse): 0808 808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5 pm)

Key Contacts