We want everyone to be Welcome and Safe at St. James
Did you know keeping people safe at St. James doesn’t happen by accident? We have two Safeguarding Coordinators who do the things we need to do to keep children and vulnerable people safe. Our staff and volunteer teams receive regular training in safeguarding and are accountable to each other and to their leaders.
We promise to do all we can to create a safe, happy environment for everyone.
So, if you are:
- Concerned about anyone who volunteers at St James or at Cornerstone
- Worried that a child or vulnerable person known to us might be the subject of abuse
……don’t keep your concerns to yourself – please contact us!
To view our 2023 safeguarding policy, CLICK HERE
To view the Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults – Promoting a Safer Church CLICK HERE
Volunteering at St James
We are very grateful to all our volunteers at St James and Cornerstone. We have in the order of 100 marvellous people who give us their time, skills and expertise to enable us to continue our work with children and the wider local community. We do have a responsibility to ensure that anyone who represents St James in these roles is carefully selected and trained for their role and is supported ‘on the job’.
Safer recruiting
If you are thinking of volunteering with us please have a look at our ‘Welcome’ booklet which explains the process in some detail.
It may look a bit complicated – but we are here to help if you have any queries.
To view the Welcome booklet, click here.
You will also need to complete a registration and declaration form. To download this, click here.
You may wish to read our policy on recruitment of offenders. To download this, click here.
If you have any queries do get in touch with:
- Jane Clark safeguarding@stjamescarlisle.org.uk 01228 711183.
- Toby Harling toby@stjamescarlisle.org.uk 01228 810616.
Support for you as a volunteer
Every volunteer at St James works as part of a team. You will have a team leader who is there to support and guide you- so don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice if you need it.
Carlisle Diocese offers excellent safeguarding training – both as online packages and training sessions. The Welcome booklet explains what training is needed for your role. Details of the training packages is available at: www.carlislediocese.org.uk/our-diocese/safeguarding/safeguarding-training.html
We have also produced some information booklets ourselves which we hope you will find helpful:
Working with Vulnerable Adults
Working with Adults as part of the Prayer Team
Working with Adults as part of the Visiting Team
Working with Adults who may be Vulnerable at Cornerstone
What to do if:
You have concerns about possible abuse (including allegations)
- In an emergency respond immediately
- Consult with the person to whom you are responsible
- Decide together whether to seek advice or to make an immediate referral
- Keep a record of what happened, your concerns and your actions
- Inform your vicar or Parish Safeguarding Officer
- Only tell others who need to know
- Do not alert the possible perpetrator
A child, young person or adult wishes to disclose that they have been abused
- Keep Listening. Do not question or investigate
- Do not promise confidentiality; tell them we need to share this
- Assure them that they are not to blame
- Tell them what you are going to do and that they will be told what will happen next
- Make a careful note of what is said, record dates, times, events and when you are told
- Report it to the person to whom you are responsible and you Vicar or Parish Safeguarding Officer
- Only tell those who need to know
- Call the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for further advice or if not available inform Social Services and the Police and speak to the Advisor later
Things to remember:
- Treat everyone with respect, setting a positive example for others
- Respect personal space and privacy
- Ensure another adult is present or within sight of any activity
- Ensure any actions cannot be misrepresented by someone else
- Challenge unacceptable behavior
- Do not put anyone, including yourself in a vulnerable or compromising position
- Do not have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
- For policy and good practice refer to the Carlisle Diocese Safeguarding policy
Diocese of Carlisle – Link to Safeguarding Training
Who can be contacted in an emergency?
Our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is Joanne Van Lachterop safeguarding.adviser@carlislediocese.org.uk 07458 0168840
Children – Children’s Services 0333 240 1727
Vulnerable Adults – our local Adult Social Services Office is at: 3rd Floor, Cumbria House, 117 Botchergate, Carlisle, CA1 1RD carlislessd@cumbria.gov.uk 0300 303 3249
To contact the Police in an emergency dial 999
Other useful contacts:
Child Abuse
NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk 0808 800 500 – for adults concerned about a child
Childline www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111- for children and young people
Domestic Violence
24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
Victim Support Cumbriaidsva@victimsupport.org.uk 0300 303 3797
Churches Together in Cumbria Abuse & Sexual Violence Champion
Rev Eleanor Hancock: eleanor.hancock@sky.com 01228 527106
Men’s Advice Helpline 0808 8010327 a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse
Abuse of the elderly
Action on Elder Abuse helpline 0808 808 8141
Sexual abuse
Stop it now www.stopitnow.org.uk 0808 1000 900
A confidential helpline for people with concerns about child sexual abuse which gives advice support and information
The Bridgeway www.thebridgeway.org.uk 0808 118 6432
Based in Penrith, The Bridgeway is a dedicated service that helps men, women, children and young people in Cumbria who have been raped or sexually assaulted, either recently or in the past.
Helping survivors offers help to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse or assault. They have a helpful page about grooming: https://helpingsurvivors.org/grooming/warning-signs/
Survivors of Abuse
NAPAC 0808 801 0331 Offers support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse
Church Related Abuse
Safe Spaces safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk 0300 303 1056 is for anyone who feels they have experienced church related abuse of any form in England or Wales. They are a team of trained support advocates who have undergone specialist training in supporting survivors of sexual violence and who have received additional specific training in how the churches respond to abuse cases, the way in which faith and church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the church.
A live chat service is also available through the Safe Spaces website – Safe Spaces England and wales – Safe Spaces England and wales
The Safe Spaces team are available through their helpline and live chat service on:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10am-6pm and Thursday: 12pm-8pm
Advisory Services
Thirtyone:eight www.thirtyoneeight.org 0845 120 4550
Resources and advice on safeguarding in churches
