Safeguarding

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As part of the Church of England we take safeguarding and GDPR seriously.  We have adopted 

Safer Church,  which is the Church of England policy for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.  We have safeguarding officers in each church:

• St Mary the Virgin (Elham): Susannah Pallot:  susannahpallot@gmail.com 
• St Mary & St Ethelburga (Lyminge): Gary Colvin: 01303 862360
• St Martin (Acrise): Sue Prebble: sue1954prebble@gmail.com 01303 844640
• St Mary Magdalene (Denton) & St Martin (Wootton):  Judi Tapley:  judi.tapley@gmail.com 
• St Mary (Postling): Sarah Montgomery: 01303 863780
• All Saints (Stanford): Jenny Hollingsbee:  jennyhollingsbee@gmail.com  07887918458
• St Oswald's (Paddlesworth): Celia Mosley, 01303 893609. Lindsey Smith; lsmith665@googlemail.com>

The Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is:

Fiona Coombs - fcoombs@diocant.org

01227 459401 - mobile 07548 232395

Finding other support

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing to you and it may add to your hurt by our not being able to immediately assist you. Therefore here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services.

• Social Services: www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/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: 116 123 (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 ( free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
• The National Safeguarding Team: safeguarding@churchofengland.org
• Contact your local Diocesan Safeguarding Team    https://www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding