Safeguarding Officer

The Church Safeguarding Officer is responsible for ensuring the coordination of any concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult, or the behaviour of an adult working with vulnerable groups. Their role is to ensure that these are appropriately reported both to the statutory agencies and to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser can be reached on 020 7932 1224). They work with the PCC to ensure the proper implementation of the safeguarding policy.

David Park, St Barnabas Safeguarding Officer
Any concerns should be brought to his attention.

Out of hours advice can be sought from the CCPAS’s helpline on 0845 120 4550 (mention you’re from the Diocese of London!).
You will be able to get confidential advice, guidance and support. 

Useful contacts

Childline: 0800 1111

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Samaritans: 116123 

Children's Champion 

The Children’s Champion is the voice of the children within the parish at PCC meetings. They don’t have a direct role in safeguarding but are expected to work closely and confidentially with the Church Safeguarding Officer and parish clergy to inform / report / discuss any concerns, seeking their support and advice when necessary.

Melenda McLean, St Barnabas Children's Champion

Safeguarding Policy Agreed and Adopted by PCC of St Barnabas

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. This implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

• We accept and endorse the principles set out in ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ enshrined in the Children Act 1989, that the welfare of the child is paramount.

• We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.

• We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

• We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation.

• We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

The PCC of St Barnabas Kensington agreed and adopted the above policy at its meeting on 17th May 2021.