Safeguarding

If you have any concerns that someone you know, child of vulnerable adult, is in any danger then refer to the St Matthew's Procedure for Responding to Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations.  Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm .


  • Local contacts available to speak to regarding any concerns

Denise Young (Parish Safeguarding Officer).

Tel. 07757 424 475  Email Click here to email 


Revd. Michelle Petch - Vicar

Tel. 01484 710538    Email : click here to email



Diocesan Safeguarding Team

All  Enquiries contact:

Team email click here to email

Office telephone number 0113 353 0257




KEY INFORMATION - Further Contact Details from St Matthew's Safeguarding documents



The Church of England and the Methodist Church are committed to Safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the church.


The Church Council  of St Matthew's, Rastrick are in full agreement with and endorses the policies and practice guidance adopted the Church of England. 


We believe that 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.  We are 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
  • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
  • Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
  • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
  • Responding to those that may pose a present risk.

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of abuse, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a safeguarding adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority social care services or the police without delay. If there is immediate risk or danger please contact the police on 101.


Bishop Jonathan speaks about the Vital Importance of Safeguarding in an interview with The Yorkshire Post March 2021


Local contacts available to speak to regarding any concerns

See Above


Our Local Authority Social Services is:  Calderdale

Safeguarding Children and Young People      Multi Agency Screening Team (MAST) Tel: 01422 393336 or if out of hours Emergency Duty Team 01422 288 000


Safeguarding Adults     Gateway to Care   Tel:  01422 393 000 or if out of hours Emergency Duty Team 01422 288 000


Helplines

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

Childline: 0800 1111

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

NAPAC: 0808 801 0331

Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900

Action On Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141

Samaritans: 116 123

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Safeguarding Policy and Policy Statement:


View the St Matthew's Rastrick  Safeguarding Policy Statement May  2023 


The above Safeguarding Policy Statement refers to :

Promoting a Safer Church, House of Bishops, 2017


See the Church Policies page for our Safeguarding Policy Statement  and our Safeguarding Policy (Child Protection).

Parish Safeguarding Handbook:

Refer to the Parish Safeguarding Handbook  on the Diocesan Safeguarding webpage On the same page you will find two further documents which are to be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding Handbook : 

Safer Environment and Activities (Sept 2019)

The Code of Safer Working Practice