Sports Village Church regards safeguarding children and young people, and good working practice as a priority.

Safeguarding Policy

As a parish/church we follow the Church of England Parish Safeguarding Handbook.

Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSO):

Christ Church Pennington

Emma Nicholson: emma@christchurchpennington.com

Information and training

The ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ poster is displayed prominently on our notice board at SVC.

All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training and support.

Reporting a concern

Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) in the first instance, who can seek further advice from Abbey Clephane-Wilson, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA), as necessary.

Safeguarding concerns in a school/university/prison/healthcare setting should be raised with the relevant organisation’s Safeguarding team. If the concern involves one of our chaplains, please also contact Abbey Clephane-Wilson, the diocesan safeguarding officer directly.

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Abbey’s contact details are:

Telephone: 0161 828 1451

Mobile: 07436 589606

Email: Please use the contact form on the diocesan website

Address: Diocesan Secretary’s Office, Church House, 90 Deansgate, M3 2GH

Links to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team

https://www.manchester.anglican.org/safeguarding/

Urgent help

If you need to make urgent contact with the diocese regarding a safeguarding incident outside of office hours, contact thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS) on 0303 003 1111.

If a child/young person is at immediate risk of harm, then you should contact the police and children’s services: –

Leigh Police – 0161 856 7225, Children’s Services 01942 828300

Finding support

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the Diocesan 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.

Child-line:

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.

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline:

080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).

Simon EdwardsSafeguarding