Safeguarding | Parish of St Mary's Stanwell and St Matthew's

At St Mary’s and St Matthew’s, safeguarding is at the heart of our ministry. We believe that every child, young person, and adult should feel safe, welcomed, and valued as a unique child of God. Our church family is committed to creating an environment where everyone can grow in faith, explore their gifts, and worship without fear or harm.

We adopt the Church of England’s Promoting a Safer Church safeguarding policy and are fully committed to the principles of safer recruitment, safeguarding training, and pastoral care for all.

Meet Our Safeguarding Team

Maria Quail

Parish Safeguarding Officer

Helen oversees all safeguarding matters for both children and adults at risk. She is the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern and ensures that church policies are followed.

Email: safeguarding@smam.org.uk

Raluca Talpos

Children’s Champion

Raluca is a friendly point of contact for children’s activities and helps ensure that our children’s groups remain safe and welcoming.

Email: children@smam.org.uk

Guy Ghani

Vulnerable Adults Champion

Guy supports safeguarding work for adults at risk and works closely with Helen to ensure safety and care within our church community.

Email: adults@smam.org.uk

If You Are Concerned

If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact Helen Potter (Parish Safeguarding Officer)

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Diocese of London Safeguarding Team: www.london.anglican.org/safeguarding or call 020 7932 1224.
National advice and reporting: Church of England Safeguarding.

Support for Survivors of Abuse

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse by someone in the Church (past or present), independent support is available:

Safe Spaces – Independent Support Service Call: 0300 303 1056
Website: safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

Policies and Guidance

Useful Contacts

Spelthorne Borough Council – Children’s Services
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111

Parish Safeguarding Information

Parish Policy Statement on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

In accordance with the House of Bishops’ Policy Statements Promoting a Safer Church (2017) and Protecting All God’s Children (2010) and the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Diocese’ (2018) our parishes 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.

The Parish will:

Create a safe and caring place for all.
Have a named Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO) 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 Bishop's 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 the parish will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by the parish.

Signed:
Fr Stuart King SSC – Parish Priest
Julie Bell, Melanie Cooper, Luis Elias and Ian Spencer – Churchwardens

Date reviewed: June