Taking Safeguarding Seriously

Safeguarding is a serious focus for us all here at St Wilfrid’s, because keeping people safe is important.

We work hard to try to ensure that everyone is safe.

We turn words into action, since we want to provide a safe space for everyone.

Our Policy and practice

The PCC review and agree our safeguarding policy each year. To help you, you can read that policy here: Safeguarding Policy 2022:23

Therefore, those who work with children and vulnerable adults:

  • must have a valid DBS check where they undertake ‘regulated activities’
  • they sign a self-disclosure statement because all our volunteers do
  • provide references, thus we can check they are who they say they are
  • have training so that everyone follows best practice.

Our safeguarding team carry out the checks and oversee our policy. We follow up any concerns so that we are as safe as we can be.

Mr Nick Hamer is our lead safeguarding officer. You can contact Nick either through the parish office or via safeguarding@stwilfrid.org. Janet Thomas and Justin Brett along with Fr Gary with this work. We are also looking at expanding our Parish Safeguarding Team.

Janet looks after work with baptism families and baptism visitors. Justin has a ‘focus’ for the choir and for music. Fr Gary currently heads the safeguarding team meetings. Fr Gary’s particular ‘focus’ is for the servers, staff and clergy.

If you have a question or concern

We want this work to be great. So Nick can deal with any concerns and point you to the right person.

You can also contact one of the team of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors. They can be contacted on 0113 3530 257 or via safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org They can help if you want to talk to someone who doesn’t work or worship here – or because you have a concern about one of the clergy. More help can be found on the diocesan page.

If your concern is very serious you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor or the police directly. You should always Dial 999 if you believe a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger.

We deeply regret that the Church has not taken safeguarding as seriously as it should. Our task is to be vigilant. We re-appraise our policy and protocols regularly to create the safest possible environment for everyone who engages with St Wilfrid Harrogate.