Safeguarding

St Mark’s Church safeguarding policy documents:

2019 Safeguarding Children
2019 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
2019 Policy for responding to Domestic Abuse

Contact Details for St Mark’s Safeguarding Officer:
Pauline Banks Tel: 01462 635336 or 07932 152531

Contact details for Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser:
Jeremy Hirst, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL1 1HE
Tel: 01727 818107 or 07867 350886 Email: safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org

What To Do If You Have A Safeguarding Concern

If you have a concern about an individual’s physical, sexual or emotional well-being, it is your responsibility to seek advice and support from St Mark’s Safeguarding Officer or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

Dos and don’ts for handling a disclosure

Do

✅ Remain calm, approachable and receptive
✅ Take it seriously
✅ Listen carefully, without interrupting
✅ Acknowledge you understand how difficult this may be
✅ Offer reassurance – it is the right thing to tell someone
✅ Tell them what will happen next
✅ Make a written record of exactly what has been said and when
✅ Report

Don’t

❌ Promise complete confidentiality
❌ Asking leading or probing questions
❌ Investigate
❌ Discuss with people who do not need to know
❌ Delay in reporting the disclosure to St Mark’s Safeguarding Officer or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

St Mark’s is proud to be a part of the Diocese of St. Albans in the Church of England, whose Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and leaders are absolutely committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.

Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.

The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies, Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and adults, has a role to play.

The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.

Although safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone here at St Mark’s; Pauline Banks is our designated Safeguarding Officer and can be contacted about any safeguarding matter on the number above. You can also speak to our Team Vicar, on 01462 434686, or leave an email via vicar@stmarks-hitchin.org.uk

Two very useful links:

More information on the Church of England’s National Safeguarding can be found here: www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding

More information about Safeguarding in the Diocese of St. Albans can be found here: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding