Keeping Everyone Safe
Most of the time at church we are like a big happy family. However, even in very happy families, people can have a bad day and even people we know and trust can upset us. We want to help everyone have good days, all of the time. We try to make sure that people who have jobs in the church always behave well and in a way that is helpful to you. We never want anyone or anything in the church to frighten you, confuse you or worry you. It is important that you tell us if something is upsetting you or if you are feeling worried about something that’s happening or something somebody is doing. We have specially trained people who you can talk to and who you can ask for help. These people are good at safeguarding. This means they look after everyone’s safety. Caring for people is a very important part of our Christian life.
Your Safeguarding Team
The people who can help you are the Parish Safeguarding Officer, or, if you wish to speak to someone outside the church, you can contact the diocesan safeguarding team – their contact details are available here: Diocese of Lincoln Safeguarding page.
Parish Safeguarding Officer
Caroline Taylor
01507 343352
Email Caroline Taylor
Our Commitment
- Promoting a safer environment and culture
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with 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 and other affected persons
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk
Parochial Church Council of the Asterby Group of Parishes
The Parochial Church Council of the Asterby Group of Parishes have agreed to accept as a minimum the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements:
- Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishops policy statement (2017)
- Protecting All God’s Children (safeguarding policy for children and young people, 4th edition, 2010)
- Promoting a Safe Church (safeguarding policy for adults, 2006)
The full policy can be accessed here – https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/policy-and-practice-guidance
Helplines
(Click on the name of the organisation to go to its web site)
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
- Childline: 0800 1111
- Stop It Now (Child Protection Charity, working to prevent child sexual abuse): 0808 1000 900
- NAPAC (The National Association for People Abused In Childhood): 0808 801 0331
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Family Lives (early help and crisis support for families): 0808 800 2222
- Refuge: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (For women & children): 0808 2000 247
- Hourglass: Action On Elder Abuse (Safer ageing – stopping abuse): 0808 808 8141
- EDAN Lincs (Ending Domestic Abuse Now in Lincolnshire): 01522 510041
- Respect – Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
- The National Careline (information and support for carers, including advice on abuse): 0800 0699 784
- Safe Spaces (support for those abused by someone in the church): 0300 303 1056
Modern Slavery
We are being made aware that modern slavery happens within all societies across our county, country and world. It helps to be aware of this and as part of our Christian Social Justice to help where we can to ensure that people are not put at risk through their occupations.
For further help
For further information on any of these subjects, see the Diocese of Lincoln web site, or contact a member of the relevant Diocesan team.