St Martins Brighton - Safeguarding Information

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Here at St Martin's we are committed to good safeguarding practices, and the safety and well being of all those in our community. If you wish to raise a safeguarding concern or would like more information please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer on 01273 689989

Safeguarding in the Church of England is not simply about compliance with guidance or completing the right forms. It is about people and for those of us who seek to follow Jesus, it is about how we live our faith. It’s Not Just Policy, It’s Personal is a timely reminder that at the heart of every safeguarding concern is a human being who has taken a brave and often costly step in speaking about harm.

The Makin Report has rightly challenged us to be confident that abuse, whether current or non‑recent, is being recognised, reported and responded to well. That confidence is built not only through clear processes, but through the quality of our human response when someone discloses a concern. How we listen, hhttps://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/03d93074-826a-4154-8cee-7bdb6c7691bd/resource-8-social-media-tile.png/:/rs=w:400,cg:true,mow we explain what will happen next, and how carefully we handle what is shared can make a profound difference to whether people feel believed, respected and protected.

The four Rs - Recognise, Respond, Record and Refer - are not tick‑boxes. They are a framework that helps us act justly and compassionately, ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and passed to those who can help keep people safe. Doing this well serves both the person at the centre of the disclosure and the wider community.

I commend this campaign and its resources to dioceses, parishes and all church officers. I hope they will support us all to approach safeguarding disclosures with clarity, care and courage, so that our practice reflects not only our policies, but our Christian commitment to dignity, truth and protection for all.