Safeguarding at St Mary's

At St Mary’s, we seek to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We take special care of children and of adults who need assistance to manage their lives.

All volunteers and workers at the church are required to undergo induction training in our safeguarding policy, which follows the Diocese of Chichester's 2009 policy for Children and Young People and the 2011 policy for safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

We also encourage volunteers and workers at the church to read and familiarize themselves with the Church of England's national safeguarding policy, Protecting all God's Children (2010), which can be downloaded from the link provided here.

For particular roles involving children and vulnerable adults, volunteers and workers will be asked for DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks. Please see here for the criteria used to assess whether or not a DBS check is required for a role or position.

Katherine Prior is our Safeguarding Officer and looks after Children and Youth matters. She is assisted by our Vulnerable Adults Officer, Richard Stephenson. You can also take any concerns to Fr Andrew Woodward.
 
Please contact one of them if

• Something has happened at St Mary's to make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable
• You are worried about someone else’s safety or feel that they are in danger
• You have any safety concerns about the building

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