Our ethos is that our Church should be a place where everyone can feel safe. We therefore follow Church of England Safeguarding Policy and Practice.
We believe that safeguarding is about caring for one another and looking out for one another - and each of us has a crucial role to play in that.
Anne Ackland (Tel: 07565 551708 or 01227 371286) is our Parish Safeguarding Officer.
Diocese Safeguarding Officers - Paul Brightwell 07398009951 or Fiona Coombs 07548232395 Safeguarding@diocant.org
Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement
Parish of St Martin-in-Herne with St Peter’s Greenhill
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 21st July 2025
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture.
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
- Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
- Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
- Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
- Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
- Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
- Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Anne Ackland as the Parish Safeguarding Officer - Anne Ackland Tel: 07565 551708 or 01227 371286
Any child wishing to talk about a problem can contact Childline on 0800 1111
Any parent or carer wishing to talk about parenting problems can contact
Family Lives on 0808 800 2222
The Parish Safeguarding Officer is available to speak with adults or children