Safeguarding

St Mary’s Lymm takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England’s robust procedures and guidelines. You can find out more about the national policies and procedures at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding.

If you have any safeguarding concerns or issues of a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at www.chester.anglican.org/social-responsibility/safeguarding

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 07704 338885 email safeguarding@ chester.anglican.org regarding all safeguarding issues

St Mary’s Safeguarding Officer is Kath Buckley
telephone 01925 752439

St Marys Safeguarding Policy – Promoting a Safer Church

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.

St Mary’s Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Adults in the Church

This statement was adopted by St. Mary’s, Lymm at a PCC meeting held on Monday 5th March 2018

This Policy will be reviewed and approved each year to monitor the progress which has been made.

  1. We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives
  2. As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all children and adults to whom we minister.
  3. We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
  4. We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
  5. The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of children and adults at risk.
  6. It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.
  7. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults at risk.
  8. The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
  9. The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese of Chester.
  10. Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.
  11. All authorised clergy, Safeguarding Officer licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs have ‘due regard’ to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (including both policy and practice guidance).