Our Safe Guarding Policy

Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mrs. Juliet King Tel: 01388 605614


The Parochial Church Council of St Peters, Byers Green is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for everyone, especially for children, young people and vulnerable adults. It has adopted the Church of England's Policy of 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 Peters Church, Byers Green Please contact

either:       The Parish Safeguarding Officer - Mrs. Juliet King  on 01388605614

or:               The Parish priest - Rev Barbara Hilton on 01388814093

Concerns can also be raised with: 

The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Mrs. Beth Miller, Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham, DH1 3RY                                     e-mail: beth.miller@durham.anglican.org     Mobile:07968034075

For further information please also see the Diocese of Durham safeguarding pages: https//durhamdiocese.org/category/safeguarding

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on:          

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 procedures.
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have 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 the House 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 with 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.

This church appoints Mrs. Juliet king as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Incumbent: The Rev Barbara Hilton

Churchwardens: Mrs. Margaret Gilson and Mrs. Janet Bell

Date: 30/8/2022.