The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole church. Everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.
Safeguarding is an integral part of the mission and ministry of the church in this diocese and is in line with our Growing in God strategy. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
It is our policy to:
• Promote a safe environment and culture;
• Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility relating those groups who are at increased risk of harm or abuse within the church;
• Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
• Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons;
• Care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons;
• Respond to those who may pose a present risk to others.
Lightwave has adopted the Church of England’s House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults, Promoting a Safer Church with more details to be found in the Parish Safeguarding Handbook and Addendum and the Roles and Responsibilities Practice Guidance.
Lightwave has a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy (see resources below) and our volunteers who work with young people or vulnerable adults are DBS checked and receive Safeguarding training. We review the Safeguarding Policy and our safeguarding practice each year.
A short guide for Safeguarding in Lightwave Groups is being prepared - in the meantime we would encourage you to read the policy linked in the resources below.
If you have any concerns at any time about safeguarding in our groups or hubs please contact
Head of Safeguarding Team, Roz Armstrong - safeguarding.bungay@lightwave.community or phone 07305 109021
Leader of Lightwave, Archdeacon for Rural Mission, Sally Gaze - archdeacon.sally@cofesuffolk.org or phone 07446 933129
Diocesan Safeguarding Officer - safeguarding@cofesuffolk.org or phone Karen Galloway on 07785 621319
Karen Galloway Diocesan Safeguarding Officer is available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
If you need safeguarding advice outside of these hours use the link below to report your concern directly or find additional resources.
Click here to report a concern
You can download a form to report concerns linked here
See resources below to see the Lightwave Safeguarding Policy
For all Safeguarding Resources for the Church of England in Suffolk - click here
