We are keen to be transparent about our care for others.
The Parochial Church Council of St Peter’s is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for everyone, especially for children, young people and vulnerable adults. It has adopted and approved the Church of England policy for promoting a safer church. This policy deals with all aspects of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. A full text can be found below.
To discuss any safeguarding concerns relating to St Peter’s Harton, please contact either
- the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Angela Clark (07813345747).
- the Parish Priest, Rev Kate Boardman, on 0191 455 4682, stpetersharton@gmail.com.
Concerns can also be raised with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Mrs Beth Miller – she can be contacted at: Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham DH1 3RY
Email: beth@bethmillerisw.co.
Mobile: 07968 034075
For further information please also see the Diocese of Durham safeguarding pages: https://durhamdiocese.org/
Here you will find the full text of our Parish Safeguarding statement, adopted by the church council on 5/3/19, following the publication of the new Diocese of Durham Safeguarding Policy and re-approved at Annual Parish Meetings each year (most recently, May 19th 2024):
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy 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 Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
- 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. The Diocesan Safeguarding Policy is available for review in the Church Office.
This church appoints Jo Tunnadine (DBS officer), Shirley Sinclair and Angela Clark (safeguarding officers) as lead contacts for any safeguarding queries in addition to the Revd. Kate Boardman, priest in charge.
If you wish to report an allegation of abuse from the past, or in the present, please do not hesitate to contact us or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Beth Miller 07968034075). Your information will be treated appropriately and kept confidential.
If a child, young person or adult is at immediate risk of harm please call 999.