Promoting a Safer Church

Cole Street Church is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community.  

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We have adopted the Safeguarding Policy and Supporting Documents produced by the Methodist Church of Great Britain which can be found at https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding.

If you have a Safeguarding Concern, or need any additional information, then you should speak to either our Safeguarding Officer, Ms Chelsie Priest, Minister, Rev David Alford or the Circuit Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Wendy Goodwin.

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As a Circuit, we have adopted a ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy. Training and DBS checks are maintained by the Circuit Safeguarding Team.

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Reporting a Concern

Any safeguarding concerns should be brought to the attention of your local Circuit Safeguarding Officer (CSO) in the first instance, who can seek further advice from the Methodist Church as necessary. Safeguarding concerns in a school/university/prison/healthcare setting should be raised with the relevant organisation's Safeguarding team.

 

Finding Support

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the Circuit Safeguarding Team. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).  Phone if you are worried about a child.

- Childline: 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.

 

Making the church safer for all

We are committed to making our local church a safe space for all and ensuring that everyone understands that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.