You can also conctact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team with any concern or question:

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999 in an emergency. If your query is urgent or out of hours (5pm Friday to 10pm Sunday), please contact thirtyone:eight on 0303 0031111

The following policy has been adopted by the Parochial Church Council for the Parish and the church; and by the Trustees of the Parish Hall, and for all their activities.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy we are 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.

We will: 

• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the Incumbent, the PCC, and the Trustees 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 and hall 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 Mrs Sharon Waight and Ms June Hornby as the Parish Safeguarding Officers.

Incumbent: Fr. Gregory Attila Lipovsky

Churchwardens: Mrs Jeanne James; Mrs Anne Mullis

This policy has been discussed, revised and re-approved by St Paul's PCC. Date: 15 April 2026

We make ours the words of Pope Francis: “In response to cases of abuse, especially those committed by members of the Church, it is not enough to ask for forgiveness. The pain and psychological wounds of the victims can begin to heal only if they find answers, if there are concrete actions to repair the horrors they have suffered and to prevent them from happening again. The Church cannot hide abuse, no matter where it occurs, but instead must serve as a model in its response to abuse. As part of that response, the Church must also offer safe spaces for victims to be heard, supported, and protected."

Other groups and organisations you can contact:

• Safe Spaces – 0300 303 1056 Home - Safe Spaces England and Wales
• NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 NSPCC | The UK children's charity | NSPCC
• Childline – 0800 1111 Childline | Childline
• Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900 https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/
• NAPAC – 0808 801 0331 NAPAC - Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse
• Samaritans – 116 123 Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
• Family Lives – 0808 800 2222 Parenting and Family Support | Family Lives
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline
• Hourglass – 0808 808 8141 Hourglass Services | Hourglass

Memorial to the victims o abuse suffered within the Church by Dominique Colas (Saint-Pierre, Caen, France)

Carved out of lime tree trunks torn down by storms, it was modelled in unfired clay painted with oil and coloured with natural pigments. On the left, we can see the Infant Jesus sitting and holding the scroll of the Law. Saddened by the situation, he stretches his left arm to reach out to the child who feels ruined by the sufferings endured as a result of the abuse. Behind the Infant Jesus, on Golgotha hill, a character remains nailed to the cross: he has not acknowledged the evil he has done.

The white dove stands for the Holy Spirit: it shows that God cannot condone the crimes and offences committed within the Church. So many have been crushed by these acts of abuse and have been silenced by omertà.

The central figure of the child, wounded in body and soul, will keep these wounds for the rest of his life. Even the biology, represented here by the DNA chain, can record these sufferings and leave a lasting mark on an entire life and on the one that is passed on. The grey hand clutching the DNA represents the assault. With a finger on the lips, an unfinished face stands for the impossibility of speaking out and the imposition of silence. Above it, a boring candle symbolises all the support and vigilance that are necessary to prevent and heal relentlessly.

On the right, Mary, Mother of Jesus, who suffered seeing her Son tortured, humiliated, and killed, points her finger at the child for all of us to see. She reinforces the words of Jesus written on the left: "What you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me."