Safeguarding

At Christ Church we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.

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 any victims / survivors of abuse or other affected persons
• caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
• responding to those that may pose a present risk 

The Church of England has produced a Parish Safeguarding Handbook which can be found 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 Advisor or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay. 

We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.

If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact our safeguarding officer.

Parish Safeguarding Officer: Canon Catherine R Hilton
Email: hilton_cath@hotmail.co.uk
Phone: 07972 785541

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson, she can be contacted at safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org or at 0161 828 1465 / 07384 460958

Out of Hours Support

The Diocese of Manchester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.

This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.

In the case of an emergency

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service.

Helplines

1. NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
2. Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
3. Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
4. National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours).
5. Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
6. Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)

Our policy statement is available here