Safeguarding
Are you a survivor or victim of church-related abuse?
Could you help the Diocese of Guildford to learn from the past and protect the future?
The Diocese of Guildford is currently reviewing all its records, across all 162 parishes, to ensure that all safeguarding concerns and allegations have been identified, reported, and appropriately actioned. Critical to this is the voice of survivors and victims. The Diocese of Guildford wants to listen to and to learn from your experiences and ensure that your voices are heard throughout this review process.
Coming forward
Anybody who would like to give information or make disclosures about church-related abuse is asked to contact Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Jackie Broadfoot (jackie.broadfoot@cofeguildford.org.uk 07918 559387).
Support is available
The Diocese recognises that coming forward may be extremely difficult and dedicated support has been set up for you. Two confidential listening services have been set up, for those people who have experienced church-related abuse but who might want to talk through their experiences and feelings before taking any next step. To find out more about the support available click here.
Building the safest community we can
Bishop Andrew, Diocesan Bishop for the Diocese of Guildford explains why we are doing this:
“It is important we do everything we can to make our churches the safest places they can be. Safe means different things to different people but this review will help us to ensure that the concerns reported to our churches have been dealt with properly, and the care taken and the support given is of the high quality that people rightly deserve. We have learnt from a previous review that survivors and victims’ voices are critical, and I would urge you to come forward.”
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The Church of the Good Shepherd is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
As a church, we recognise that our work with vulnerable adults, children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church community.
In February 2017 the Church of England (House of Bishops) approved the Promoting a Safer Church Policy Statement outlining 6 safeguarding commitments for implementation in dioceses and parishes. These commitments now form the foundation for all current and future safeguarding policies and practice guidance documents.
Our PCC has adopted the following safeguarding policies:
Some of these documents are in the process of being updated. You can find the latest information on the diocesan website below:
https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/about/safeguarding
As a church we undertake to select all our workers with care, to support them and to provide appropriate training for them. We also undertake to receive any complaints seriously and respond to them promptly.
We have appointed a Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to oversee safeguarding within our church. She is supported by the vicar and a small safeguarding team. For more information please contact:
Rev'd Thea Edwards or Marian Rudall
07732 085981 07732 085981
safeguarding@goodshepherdchurch.org.uk
If you need to speak to someone urgently then please contact:
Jackie Broadfoot
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor
jackie.broadfoot@cofeguildford.org.uk
07918 559387
Jackie has primary responsibility for case management and the interface between parishes and statutory agencies in the event of a serious safeguarding concern.