Children, young people and vulnerable adults

The Parish Church of King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge Wells, takes seriously its safeguarding responsibilities. We follow national guidelines in establishing a range of Safeguarding Policies and Forms. For more information on these national policies and safeguarding training please visit the Diocese of Rochester’s website by clicking here.

If you have concerns over the welfare of a member of the church then please contact one of our safeguarding officer:

• Jenny Selway, safeguarding officer for vulnerable adults 01892 511745

If you are worried about a child or young person (under 18 years) and the information you have suggests that a child is at immediate risk of being harmed, you should tell the police without delay. This is an emergency and it is appropriate therefore to use the police emergency number 999.

If you are worried about a child but do not think that there is a risk of immediate harm, you should still speak to someone who can help as soon as possible. Whilst you can contact one of our two safeguarding officers at the church, we are not an emergency service or a replacement for the Local Authority Children’s Service teams, and you should approach your local Children’s Services.

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC): 0808 801 0331
Samaritans: 116 123
thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS): 0303 003 11 11
Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
Action On Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

‘Promoting a Safer Church’, the Safeguarding Policy for Parishes

(From the minutes of the meeting of the Parochial Church Council of the Church of King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge Wells, held on the 4th June 2023 at 8pm)

The model Safeguarding Policy was circulated to the PCC in advance of the meeting along with details as to where detailed information could be found about the full responsibilities of PCCs on safeguarding on the Diocesan and Church of England websites… the PCC voted unanimously on a formal resolution to adopt ‘Promoting a Safer Church’, the Safeguarding Policy for Parishes. The Vicar and Churchwardens signed the document confirming this. 

A copy of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook is available in the King Charles Parish Office, King Charles Church Hall, 3 Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA (01892 511745).