Safeguarding

Who to speak to:

If you are worried about any children or adults in our church, speak to:

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED THAT someone you know is at risk of, or is being, abused, or presents a risk to others, please report the matter to the LOCAL AUTHORITY SOCIAL CARE SERVICES or the POLICE without delay. We also ask you to seek advice from Helen, our Safeguarding Officer, or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as soon as possible. 

Contact details for any concerns: 

• – If there is an immediate emergency, dial 999. 
• – If a child or adult is at immediate risk of significant harm, call the police on 101 or the Bradford Social Services team on 01274 437500 (for children, office hours), 01274 431010 (for children, emergency out of hours), 01274 431077 (for adults, office hours), or 01274 435400 (for adults, emergency out of hours).
  These numbers were correct on 26 May 2025 according to Bradford Safeguarding Children Board and the Bradford Council website. These numbers and websites may be changed without notice, so we advise you to check the numbers for yourself if you don’t get through on the first attempt. 
• – Parish Safeguarding Officer: Helen Loughlin safeguarding@ststephensbd5.org.uk
• – Church Leader: Canon Rev’d Jimmy Hinton jimmy.hinton@leeds.anglican.org or 01274 773331
• – Diocesan Safeguarding Team: safeguarding@leeds.anglican.org or 0113 353 0257. For further information, please see www.leeds.anglican.org/safe

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Our Church Safeguarding Guidelines

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The Church of England’s House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy

St Stephen’s Church West Bowling Bradford has adopted the Church of England’s House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy “Promoting a Safer Church“. We make church officers aware of its policies and guidelines and tries to provide appropriate training, and provides appropriate insurance cover (through the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group) for all its activities.  

In line with the House of Bishops’ Policy, we believe the care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the church, and our commitments include: 

• – Promoting a safer environment and culture 
• – Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility for children and vulnerable adults 
• – Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation 
• – Caring pastorally for victims and survivors of abuse and others affected 
• – Caring pastorally for those who are the subjects of concerns or allegations of abuse, and others affected 
• – Responding to those who may pose a present risk 

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Other agencies which can provide assistance: 

• – NSPCC: 0808 800 5000 
• – Childline: 0800 1111 
• – Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900 
• – NAPAC: 0808 801 0331 
• – Samaritans: 116 123 
• – Family Lives: 0808 800 2222 
• – National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 
• – Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141