Safeguarding
Promoting a Safer Church
We take the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously at St Patrick's Church.
St Patrick’s operates its activities in line with ‘A Safe Church’ which is the safeguarding manual used by the Diocese of Southwark. The Diocese of Southwark is the area of South London and Surrey that comes under the Bishop of Southwark and includes all of the church of England churches within that area (it's a bit like a county for churches).
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, please contact one of the following:
St Patrick’s Safeguarding Officers
Gill Staniforth / Joan Widdowson: safeguarding@stpats.org.uk
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser - Pamela Chisholm
Email: pamela.chisholm@southwark.anglican.org
Phone: 020 7939 9423 (office hours), 07982 279713 (out of hours)
All hours (day & night) diocesan safeguarding emergency contact number: 020 3874 6743
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
Alternatively:
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NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
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Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
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National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
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Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
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Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (lines free and open 24 hours) Phone if you are an older person experiencing any type of abuse.