Safeguarding
At St Mark’s we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.
We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
Please see our safeguarding policy below.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact our safeguarding officer.
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Roy Watkinson on 015395 61373 or on his mobile 07552 919599 or by email on rwatkinson98@googlemail.com
Reverend Becky Gibbs 07460990631 or by email on revbgibbs@outlook.com
Alternatively please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
You can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Joanna Van Lachertop either by emailing her on safeguarding.adviser@carlislediocese.org.uk or at 07458 016884. Joanna’s working days are Monday to Friday.officer
Further details about Diocesan Safeguarding can be found here.
Out of Hours Support
If Joanna is unavailable and you are concerned that an adult is being abused, or at risk, you should report it by contacting Adult Social Care, Cumberland Council. Emergency Out of Hours – 01228 526690
If you are concerned about a child or young person, please contact:
· Cumberland Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727 (if it relates to a concern in the Allerdale, Carlisle or Copeland area) or,
· Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub on 0300 373 2724 (if it relates to a concern in the Barrow, Eden or South Lakeland area).
If you believe that a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, call the emergency services on 999.
An independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse.
The Parish of St Mark, Natland Safeguarding Policy Promoting A Safer Church.
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council meeting held on 12th March 2026
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture.
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will:
- OfficerCreate a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
- Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
- Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
- Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
- Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
- Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
- Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
This church appoints Roy Watkinson as their Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO)
Incumbent: Revd Becky Gibbs
Churchwardens: Roy Watkinson
Link to who’s who in the parish
The Church of England’s promoting a Safer Church document can be found via this link.
Our Safeguarding Policies
A full list of our safeguarding policies can be found by clicking on the link.
Policy for Responding to Domestic Abuse
All forms of domestic abuse are wrong and must stop. We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:
- Ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse;
- Protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm;
- Recognise equality amongst people and within relationships;
- Enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to appropriately and consistently.
We recognise that:
- All forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the survivor and express an imbalance of power within the relationship;
- All survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;
- Domestic abuse can occur in all communities;
- Domestic abuse may be a single incident, but is usually a systematic, repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency;
- Domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour;
- Working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse.
We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by:
In all our activities –
Valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
In our publicity –
- Raising awareness about other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public areas of relevance to survivors, children and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
When concerns are raised –
- Ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help;
- Working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community.
In our care –
- Ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse;
- Identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
Contacts
If you have any concerns or need to talk to anyone please contact –
- Roy Watkinson (Parish Safeguarding Officer) 07552 919599
- Revd Becky Gibbs 07460990631
- Joanna Van Lachertop either by emailing her on safeguarding.adviser@carlislediocese.org.uk or at 07458 016884.
Or click on the following links for charities that help people suffering from Domestic Abuse
For Women and Children against Domestic Violence.
Telephone 0808 2000 247
For Men suffering Domestic Abuse.
Telephone 0808 8010 327
Other Helplines
· NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child and need advice or guidance on what to do.
· Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
· Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
· Victim Support Cumbria: 0300 303 0157. Emotional and practical advice to help people affected by crime in Cumbria.
· LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
· Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602