Safeguarding

He is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows – Psalm 68:5

Safeguarding reflects God’s character, and through the Holy Spirit we live out our faith in a practical way, where safeguarding is a central part of our walk with God, both as individuals and a Church community.

At St Andrew’s we provide a variety of Sunday and midweek activities to benefit some of the most vulnerable in our community – children, young people and vulnerable adults. Consequently, we recognise the need for a robust approach to safeguarding.

We seek to provide a safer Church through a combination of;

· a responsive safeguarding culture

· a robust set of safeguarding policies & procedures

· committed leadership from the vicar and PCC

· a united and supportive team of volunteers.

Concerns about children, young people or vulnerable adults will be responded to diligently and promptly, with care and sensitivity for all those involved.

We also encourage openness by inviting discussion and questions, listening to the views of others in order to strengthen our safeguarding efforts as together we:

· Recognise the signs that could indicate that abuse is happening

· Respond sensitively and without judgement when listening to any disclosure

· Record what we are told factually and accurately

· Report immediately any concern you have about a child, young person or vulnerable adult, or about one of our safeguarding practices (see below) to our Parish Safeguarding Officer (Phil Hobbs), Deputy Safeguarding Officer (John Martin), or if you feel it more appropriate to raise your concern externally, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (Jez Hirst).

Contact details for reporting concerns

Phil Hobbs, Parish Safeguarding Officer (email: safeguarding.officer@st-andrews.org.uk; phone 07905 236 683).

John Martin, Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer (email: deputy.safeguarding@st-andrews.org.uk; phone 07872 926165).

Jez Hirst, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (email: safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org; phone 01727 818107).

Our various Safeguarding Policy and Framework documents can be found below.

Please click here for an earlier statement regarding Mike Pilavachi, once the leader of Soul Survivor Watford.