Safeguarding matters

The Diocese of Liverpool takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and guidelines. This section gives you the information you need to make sure that you protect those who are vulnerable.

The Diocese of Liverpool aims to:

  • Promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of harm
  • Prevent abuse occurring
  • Protect those at risk of abuse
  • Respond well to those who have been abused
     

Reporting Abuse

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention, call 999.

If you do not think there is a risk of immediate danger but you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm you should approach your Local Safeguarding Children's Board or Local Safeguarding adult's board, follow this link for details of your Local safeguarding board if you do this please also inform the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

Please inform our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser about any case where a child or vulnerable adult appears to be at risk or where an adult appears to present a risk. You should inform them of any safeguarding concerns involving a Church Officer.  A ‘Church Officer’ is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.  You can use the following Parish Recording Template to record you concerns and a copy can then be sent through to the Safeguarding Team  - safeguarding.team@liverpool.anglican.org

The diocesan safeguarding team is committed to responding to safeguarding concerns, providing advice, and supporting survivors. The Diocese of Liverpool has partnered with 31:8 to provide out of office cover for any urgent safeguarding advice durng out of hours (weekdays 7am-9am and 5pm to midnight or weekends and bank holidays) please call  31:8 on 0303 003 1111 and one of their team will advise you approptiately.  If you cannot get through to an advisor immediately, please leave a clear message and they will get back to you as soon as they can.  They will put their advice in writing.  An information sharing agreement between the two organisations will allow for the DSA to receive a copy of the written advice.  During office hours 9am-5.00pm, Monday-Friday then please continue to contact the Safeguarding Team as per details below.

For DBS related queries please continue to contact 31:8 during office hours on 0303 003 1111 (option 1)

Contact details for the safeguarding team:

Andy Holmes,  Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07940 378139 andrew.holmes@liverpool.anglican.org

Mick Murphy, Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
07376431466  michael.murphy@liverpool.anglican.org

Karen Williams, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding                                   
07946 189061 karen.williams@liverpool.anglican.org

Deborah Doran, Safeguarding Support - contact for issues relating to Safer Recruiter, DBS, Parish Safeguarding Officer Support and Lead and Additional Recruiter information.  Hours of work, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30 - 5:30 pm. Tel 0151 705 2124, email - deborah.doran@liverpool.anglican.org

If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns directly to the National Safeguarding Team please email safeguarding@churchofengland.org.
 

Our Support for Survivors and Victims

Reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing. Liverpool Diocese aims to deal with any contact made by a survivor/victim of abuse in a church-related context with empathy and integrity. Click here for information about how you can get support and advice
 

Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. Find out how to access support here.
 

Other support

You may wish to contact one of these 24-hour helplines to report abuse

  • NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
  • Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
  • National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
  • Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
  • Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9 - 5 pm).
  • Sexual Violence Support website: Find Specialist Support in The North West - Sexual Violence Support
     

Parish Advice

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

  1. The procedures and guidance of The Church of England’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook 
  2. The House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ 
  3. Safer Environment and Activities
  4. Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance
  5. Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse
  6. Responding Well to Domestic Abuse Pratice Guidance

For further information and advice please use the following links:

  • Safer Recruitment and People Management- click here
  • Safeguarding Training - click here
  • DBS Checks - click here
  • Support for Survivors and victims - click here
  • Serious Incident Reporting - click here
  • Support for Parish Safeguarding Officers - click here
  • Complaining about the Safeguarding Service - click here

For general safeguarding enquiries please contact the Safeguarding Team safeguarding.team@liverpool.anglican.org

For any further information or queries please contact Debbie Doran, Safeguarding Support hours of work, Tuesday or Wednesday from 8:30 - 5:30 pm, tel 0151 705 2124 or email: deborah.doran@liverpool.anglican.org or contact the Safeguarding Team by email: safeguarding.team@liverpool.anglican.org

 

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