Safeguarding

Are you a survivor or victim of church related abuse? Could you help the Diocese of Guildford to learn from the past and protect the future?

The Diocese of Guildford is currently reviewing all its records, across all 162 parishes, to ensure that all safeguarding concerns and allegations have been identified, reported, and appropriately actioned. Critical to this, is the voice of survivors and victims. The Diocese of Guildford wants to listen to and to learn from your experiences and ensure that your voices are heard throughout this review process.

Coming forward

Anybody who would like to give information or make disclosures about church-related abuse is asked to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@cofeguildford.org.uk  01483 790379).

Support is available

The Diocese recognises that coming forward may be extremely difficult and dedicated support has been set up for you. Two confidential listening services have been set up, for those people who have experienced church related abuse but who might want to talk through their experiences and feelings before taking any next step. To find out more about the support available click here

Building the safest community we can

Bishop Andrew, Diocesan Bishop for the Diocese of Guildford explains why we are doing this: “It is important we do everything we can to make our churches the safest places they can be. Safe means different things to different people but this review will help us to ensure that the concerns reported to our churches have been dealt with properly, and the care taken and the support given is of the high quality that people rightly deserve.  We have learnt from a previous review that that survivors and victims’ voices are critical, and I would urge you to come forward.”

Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults - our commitment 

The parish of St Michael and all Angels, Pirbright, is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within our church community, and also to creating and maintaining an environment where all people, and especially those who may be vulnerable, are able to worship with encouragement and in safety.
Our parish is committed to the safeguarding policies of the Church of England, to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, and to provide a safe environment for them.
If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, the first person to speak to is our Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), Mary Straker. You can contact her on:-
Email:       safeguarding@pirbrightchurch.org.uk
Tel:            01483 473113

We take the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously. If you feel that someone is in immediate danger you should telephone the Police on 999.
The PCC is ultimately responsible for safeguarding, and each year the PCC will agree the parish safeguarding policy which is on view in the church porch.

Download the 2023 Statement of Safeguarding Policy as a PDF file.