At St Stephen’s, we aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for all, where children and young people are nurtured and where people who are vulnerable for any reason are made comfortable and protected from harm.
We try to be reflexive and diligent in assessing how we can provide a place for all people to worship, engage in fellowship, and follow their faith journey in physical and emotional safety and with the encouragement and/or space that they need.
Our parish is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm.
We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO.
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. 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.
We follow all the relevant national guidelines, as well as Church of England and Diocesan policies and practice. We ensure that those in roles which require it undertake regular and appropriate Safeguarding Training, and that all PCC members are familiar with and supportive of the Diocesan Policy and Practice Guidelines.
Contact us about a safeguarding issue
To discuss any issue regarding safeguarding, please do contact our parish or diocesan safeguarding officers:
Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
Sarah Hodge
07957 461168
Diocesan safeguarding advisors
Jenny Leccardi, Narrinder Lyon, & Carla Darbyshire
safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org
0113 353 0257
Or you can contact a clergy member:
Team vicar
Rev’d Stephen Kaye
07375 125348
Team rector
Revd. Nigel Sinclair
0113 258 2481
Diocese of Leeds’ best practice guidelines
We encourage all our members (clergy, volunteers, parishioners) to follow these best practice guidelines as given by the Diocese of Leeds.
- Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
- Avoid questionable activity and inappropriate language.
- Sensitively challenge unacceptable behaviour.
- Be prepared to refer to someone with greater experience / expertise.
- Be available but don’t intrude on personal space and privacy.
- Be aware that even caring physical conduct may be misinterpreted.
- Don’t question or investigate.
- Ensure appropriate supervision.
- Record any accidents.
If someone confides in you:
- Listen carefully and sensitively to any disclosure.
- Assure them they are not to blame.
- Recognise that special care is required at moments when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people.
- Explain what you are going to do and don’t delay in taking that action.
- Preferably within an hour, write down the content of you conversation with dates and times.
- Sign, date and keep safely.
- Seek advice from the diocesan safeguarding advisor if you are unsure of what to do.
You must never:
- Be left alone with a child.
- Strike a child or an adult.
- Show favouritism.
- Make fun of others.
- Have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children or adults, make suggestive remarks or gestures.
- Permit abusive youth peer activities (e.g. initiation ceremonies, ridiculing, bullying).
- Jump to conclusions without checking facts.
- Exaggerate or trivialise abuse issues.
- Allow children to be put at risk by careless behaviour.
- Take children on trips without parental permission.
- Take pictures of any child/vulnerable adult without the written permission of a parent/carer.
On social media or in texts and emails, don’t send offensive messages and be careful what you download.
Church of England safeguarding guidelines
The Church of England is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of its ministry and mission, promoting a safer culture and the welfare of every child, young person and adult. As such, the Church has robust policies, procedures and guidelines in place, to ensure good practice throughout the central organisation, its 42 dioceses and other Church bodies.
For more information, see their website:
www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
Or read their Safeguarding Statement here.
Safe Spaces – a service for survivors of church-based abuse
0300 303 1056
Their website has a live chat option.
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role in the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.
If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have need to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent, unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. Safe Spaces can provide a range of help, including advocating with authorities and other agencies, giving emotional support, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding your needs and working together on individual support plans.
Other support services
Family lives (previously Parentline)
Free support and advice on family relations and problems.
0808 800 2222
If you or someone you know is going through a hard time, the Samaritans are there to listen.
116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org
Support in spotting and stopping child sexual abuse. They also provide support to help people to understand and change sexual thoughts towards children.
0808 1000 900
For a variety of types of support, guidance and advice for memers of the LGBTQI+ community.
0345 3 30 30 30
Help for older people suffering abuse, or for those who are concerned that an older person may be suffering abuse.
Call: 0808 808 8141
Or text: 07860 052906
St Stephen’s Church, Kirkstall 