Safeguarding

• We have adopted the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ safeguarding policy statement.
• Every person has a value and dignity, which comes directly from the creation of people in God’s image. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
• We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.
• We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church.
• We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working with children or adults at risk.
• We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or adult at risk may have been harmed, cooperating fully in any investigation.
• We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.
• We will seek to offer pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse.
• 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 adult at risk.

If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm or abuse please contact
St Mark’s PSO [Stephen Roberts, 07808 175676]
or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor [Andy Holmes, 07940 378139 or andy.holmes@liverpool.anglican.org].

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.