Safeguarding
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How we protect and support children, young people, and vulnerable adults across our churches.
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Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you’re worried about someone’s safety, find out how to report your concerns clearly and confidentially.
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Safeguarding Training & Events
Stay up to date with training opportunities to help you and your church create a safer environment.
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Learn to recognise the signs of specific safeguarding issues, including different types of abuse, exploitation, and vulnerability.
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Understanding the signs of domestic abuse and how to respond.
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Information on how to recognise and report grooming and exploitation.
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Guidance on identifying and dealing with issues of financial abuse.
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Advice to follow in the event of honour-based abuse or forced marriage.
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Managing Risks & Safeguarding Agreements
The formal process for managing individuals who may pose a risk to others within the church community.
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Coping with the experience of losing someone important to us.
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Financial Hardship & Homelessness
Understanding vulnerability and finding sources of help.
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IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse)
The findings from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
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Safeguarding Policies & Guidance
Essential policies and best practice guidance for keeping people safe in our churches.
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The official Safeguarding Policy for Children and Adults for the Thames North Synod.
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Guidance on the safeguarding responsibilities and duties of Elders as charity trustees.
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Safer Recruitment and Volunteers
The principles and procedures for ensuring only suitable people work with children and adults at risk.
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Best practices for safe online communication and ministry.
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Activities in Private Dwellings
Guidance on assessing and managing the unique risks of holding church activities in private homes.
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Safeguarding Resources & Forms
Download essential safeguarding forms, templates and printable materials for use in your church.
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Get in touch with our Safeguarding Officers for confidential advice, support, or reporting.
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Honour-Based Abuse
Advice to follow in the event of honour-based abuse or forced marriage.
Honour-based abuse is a broad term for practices used to control and punish the behaviour of a member of a family or social group to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs in the name of ‘honour’. Violence and abuse may occur when it is felt an individual’s behaviour has broken the ‘honour code’, bringing disgrace to their family.
These crimes can include murder, sexual assault, physical assaults, modern slavery, kidnapping, harassment, and threats. If someone is experiencing abuse from their family or community because their ‘honour’ has been compromised, or if they are being forced into a marriage, you can get help. Always seek support from your Church Safeguarding Coordinator or the Synod Safeguarding Officer.
Support Services:
- The Halo Project: A national project supporting victims of honour-based violence, forced marriages and FGM. Website
- Freedom Charity: Bringing awareness and support to victims of forced marriage and honour-based violence. Website
- Karma Nirvana: A national helpline for honour-based abuse. Telephone: 0800 5999 247. Website