We take seriously our responsibility to care for and protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who visit St Augustine's with St Luke's and who participate in our activities.
Everyone involved in church life at St Augustine's with St Luke's has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. It is at the heart of our Christian faith and each of us has a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for all in the Church family and wider community.
As a Church we are committed to implementing the House of Bishops' safeguarding policies and good practice guidance. A formal statement to adopt the House of Bishops' "Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement" is agreed annually by our Parochial Church Council (PCC) and recorded in the minutes of the meeting on 22 May 2024.
More key information can be found at:
Responding to a Safeguarding Concern or Allegation – The PCC approved procedure for dealing with an alleged case of safeguarding abuse.
The Parish Safeguarding Handbook- Promoting a Safer Church.
Safer Environment and Activities- Dealing with the Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults.
The Code of Safer Working Practice - Designed to ensure high standards of Safeguarding in everything we do.
The ‘Safeguarding – Diocese of Rochester’ web-site is a very good source of information. It provides links for example to information on ‘Support to Victims and Survivors’, ‘Safeguarding Training Modules’, and ‘I hold a role in the Parish’ which includes a further link to ‘Safeguarding help for Parishes’.
Children and Young people –please see a ‘Dedicated child-friendly web page’ created by the Diocese of Rochester.
If you have any worries or concerns about yourself or another person who may be being harmed or is at risk of harm, we will do our best to help you. If you have any concerns that an individual working or volunteering at St Augustine's with St Luke's may be acting inappropriately or harming another, then please report this to our Safeguarding Officer or another appropriate authority (see details below).
John Murray - Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
07482 315545
email: pso.staugstluke@gmail.com
The St Augustine’s with St Luke’s PSO is available Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00 (excluding bank holidays). If the PSO is not available and the enquiry is non-urgent then please contact them by e-mail.
Rochester Diocese Safeguarding Contacts
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors (DSA)
DSAs can be contacted via the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01634 560000 or e-mail: reception@rochester.anglican.
The Rochester Diocesan Safeguarding Team are available Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00 (excluding bank holidays). For safeguarding advice outside these hours please see the following options:
- For non-urgent enquiries email the Diocesan Safeguarding Team who will respond as soon as possible during office hours.
- For urgent safeguarding advice contact Bromley Social Services. Out of hours contacts can be found on their websites.
- If someone is at risk of immediate harm contact the Police on 999.
Bromley Local Authority Social Services
Child Tel: 0208 461 7373
Adult Tel: 0208 461 7777
Helplines
Childline 0800 111 (for children and young people)
NSPCC 0808 800 5000 (for adults concerned about a child)
Stop It Now 0808 1000 900 (Child sexual abuse)
NAPAC 0808 801 0331 (Supporting recovery from Childhood Abuse)
Samaritans 116 123
Family Lives (Parentline plus) 0808 800 2222
National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
Respect 0808 808 8141 (Domestic Abuse)
National Careline 0800 0699 784 (Elderly Support)