Safeguarding

If you think someone is at immediate risk of harm please contact the Police by dialling 999

Contact us

Safeguarding: Our Ethos

Church should be a place where everyone can feel safe. We will never be perfect, but we can work together to make our churches safer. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility - and it needs to be at the heart of everything we do - so we all need to be on the look-out for signs of harm and abuse.

We need to be vigilant so that if something doesn’t seem right, then we’ll spot it. We can’t assume ‘that kind of thing’ won’t happen here – it can and it does. But we can work together to make our churches safer and to minimise the risks of harm and abuse.

To do that we need to listen to that gut feeling that tells you when something isn’t right. And, in safeguarding, if it doesn’t feel right then chances are it’s not. If there’s a situation that doesn’t feel right then our Diocesan Safeguarding Officers are here to help. If you’re concerned about someone or something, just call them (details below) and they’ll offer support and advice. Don’t worry that you might be wasting their time – they’re here to help and a two minute phone call may be all it takes to get you the support and reassurance you need. In making that call, you could be providing the missing piece of a jigsaw that helps to keep someone else safe.

Safeguarding is about caring for one another and looking out for one another – and each of us has a crucial role to play in that. Our churches can be safer if we all work together.

7 November 2024 - Independent review into Church’s handling of Smyth case

The independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by the late John Smyth has been published today. We are conscious that the high profile nature of safeguarding publications can impact on survivors and victims. If you need support, please contact the Cathedral and Diocesan Safeguarding teams whose details can be found at www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding or www.canterbury-cathedral.org/safeguarding/

Canterbury Cathedral and the Diocese of Canterbury have robust safeguarding measures in place to protect children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty of care and responsibility which is an extremely serious trust, and one of our most important concerns.

 Additional support is available from:

Safe Spaces, Helpline: 0300 303 1056 (available Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm; Saturdays 9am to 1pm;  Sundays 1pm to 5pm)

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), Support line: 0808 801 0331 (available Monday to Thursday 10am – 9pm; Friday 10am to 6pm).

Past Cases Review 2

Past Cases Review 2 is a Church of England commissioned independent review of safeguarding cases and practice over the last ten years. The national Church of England Past Cases 2 Report was published on 5 October 2022 -  both the national report and an Executive Summary of the Canterbury Diocesan and Cathedral Report are available here. 

Our Safeguarding Team

Diocesan Safeguarding Officers (Job Share)

Our Safeguarding Officers are qualified and experienced social care practitioners who can provide advice and guidance to parishes and others in the diocese on child and adult protection. They can offer advice, discuss any protection matters and clarify anything in the Diocesan Guidelines. They are always ready to work with you to plan a detailed response to any  protection issue, taking into account all aspects of your particular situation. Please do not hesitate to contact them; they are always very ready to help.

They assist the diocese and the cathedral on all safeguarding matters ensuring that all advice is in line with the law, government guidance and national policy and guidance from the House of Bishops. To work collaboratively with the National Safeguarding Team, other dioceses and key role holders within the diocese.

Make a referral to safeguarding

Contact Us

Email: Safeguarding@diocant.org 

Diocesan Safeguarding Officers (Job Share)
Paul Brightwell 07398009951		Fiona Coombs 07548232395

Kent County Council services

• Main contact: 03000 41 41 41
• Adult social services & health: 03000 41 61 61
• Children & Families Information Service: 03000 41 23 23
• Children’s social services: 03000 41 11 11