Help and Safeguarding

All children, young people and adults in our Parishes regardless of age, gender, ability or ethnic origin have a right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Our Parishes take their duty to protect everyone extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England’s robust policies, procedures and guidelines.

If you have any concerns about safety and safeguarding, or would like to talk to someone about an issue, here are some useful contacts:

If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger, call 999

Childline Call 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
National Domestic Violence Helpline Call  0808 2000 247 www.womensaid.org.uk
Action on Elder Abuse Call  0808 808 8141 www.elderabuse.org.uk
Parenting and Family Support Call  0808 800 2222 www.familylives.org.uk
Police (non-emergency) Call 101 www.police.uk/contact
Local Authority Social Services for Children Call  01905 822 666
Local Authority Social Services for Adults Call  01905 768 053

Church contacts

Our Priest-in-Charge Rev Ted Whittaker 01299 890 100
07791 484 774
Our Safeguarding Officer for Shrawley and the Witleys Eleanor Baber 01299 896 202
Our Safeguarding Officer for the churches in Abberley Kevin Gittins 01584 881 444
07731 651 945
Our Safeguarding Officer for the churches in Knighton-on-Teme, Lindridge, Stockton-on-Teme and Pensax Rev Ted Whittaker 01299 890 100
07791 484 774
4RIVERS Church Office 01299 575 055
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Hilary Higton 07495 060 869
Worcester Diocese Safeguarding Team
Safeguarding Information
National Church of England Safeguarding Information, Policies and Procedures

Our commitments

  • To promote a safe environment and culture
  • To safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
  • To respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
  • To care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
  • To care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
  • To respond to those that may pose a present risk

Safe Spaces

The Church of England has launched Safe Spaces, an independent service which offers support to survivors of church-related abuse whether or not a report has been made. It is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone, email or web-chat: