At St Dionis, we are passionate about the safety of everyone and it is a core part of everything we do. If you do need to report a concern, or want to talk to someone, please see below for the Safeguarding Procedure and the contact details of our Church Safeguarding Team, or do talk to a member of staff. You can also speak to someone outside of St Dionis if you would prefer. Please scroll down for information on how to do that, as well as our Safeguarding Policy. 

Click HERE for the Safeguarding Procedure.

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 26 June 2023. 

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 Church Safeguarding Officer (CSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.

• Report all serious safeguarding concerns to the Charity Commission.

• 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.

A full copy of “Safeguarding in the Diocese of London” can be found here.
You can find our statement for responding to Domestic Abuse here.

We also have a Whistleblowing Policy here and a Social Media Policy, available here.

For the PCC Safeguarding Complaints Policy see here.