At St Barnabas Bethnal Green we believe safeguarding is the responsibility of us all and we’re committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all who are vulnerable – children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We expect all our staff, volunteers and those who use the church to share this commitment and we value the support of those who worship here in achieving this.

Our acting Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) are Linda Snooks and Ruth Herbert. You can contact Linda and Ruth at safeguarding@stbarnabasbethnalgreen.org.

Our Children’s Champion is Jasmine Hays. You can contact Jasmine at childrens-champion@stbarnabasbethnalgreen.org.

Reporting abuse and finding support

If you have information about a child or adult in immediate danger or requiring immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Don’t delay.

NSPCC helpline for Children and Adults: 0800 80 20 20

​​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 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.

You can find more in the National Church’s Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance.

The National Church’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook provides further advice on responding to concerns.

Safeguarding contacts

If you’d prefer to speak with someone outside the church:

London Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
020 7932 122

Alternative contact details

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

ChildLine: 0800 1111

Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900

NAPAC: 0808 801 0331

Samaritans: 116 123

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Action on Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141