Safeguarding for Group Leaders

Launde Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Our Safeguarding Co-ordinator is the Revd Alan Humphrey, Chaplain at Launde Abbey. The Warden and Trustees of Launde Abbey agreed a revised “Policy and Practices for the Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults” in March 2023. Being an independent Charity managed and overseen by staff and trustees who are largely drawn from ordained clergy, Launde’s policy is based upon the “Parish Safeguarding Handbook: Promoting a Safer Church” published by the Church of England. Copies of both are kept in Reception and can also be downloaded by clicking on the links embedded in this text.

If you wish to bring a group to Launde Abbey which includes children (under 16 years of age), young people (under 18 years of age) or vulnerable adults, you will need to:

Provide Launde with a current copy of your own safeguarding policy. We will keep this on file for future reference should you wish to revisit Launde.
Complete and sign the Declaration (Appendix B) which forms part of Launde’s policy.
Complete a Launde Abbey Risk Assessment (docx or pdf).
Return both the signed Declaration and the Risk Assessment, which will form part of your contractual agreement, to Launde’s Safeguarding Co-ordinator no later than 2 weeks before the start date of your retreat or activity.

Who to contact

If you have concerns about the immediate safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult call 999 and ask for the police

Or Social Services – Leicestershire…

First Response Children’s Duty Team if you have urgent concerns about a child who needs a social worker or police officer today:
Call 0116 305 0005 (24 hour phone line)

Adult Social Care
Telephone: 0116 305 0004
(Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm)

Emergency Duty Team
Telephone: 0116 255 1606
(Evenings, weekends, Bank Holidays)

Or Social Services – Rutland…

Email: childrensreferrals@rutland.gov.uk
Call: 01572 758 407
Open: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Outside of these hours, call: 0116 305 0005

If you are aged 19 or under, Childline can help you with any issue you are going through – visit their website to speak to someone online, or call 0800 1111 (9am to midnight).

Early help services – Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF)
Find out about early help services
You can ask a professional to complete a Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF), or you can contact earlyhelp@rutland.gov.uk or call 01572 758 493.

Or Peterborough Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (all hours)…

Members of the public who are concerned about the welfare of a child should contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub Cambridgeshire – 0345 045 5203 Peterborough – 01733 864180 (Out of Hours) P’boro/Cambs 01733 234724 For immediate action (risk of personal injury or loss of life) – call the Police on 999/112 (or 101 for non-emergencies)

Other useful contact numbers are:

Leicester Diocesan Safeguarding Team:

Rachael Spiers , Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
M: 0793 081 9279 T: 0116 261 5341 Rachael.Spiers@Leicestercofe.org

Peter Holloway, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
M: 07930 887984 T: 0116 2615241 Peter.Holloway@LeicesterCofE.org

Julie Foulds, Safeguarding Team Administrator
T: 0116 261 5360 Julie.Foulds@LeicesterCofE.org

Louise Warner, Safeguarding Training Officer
T: 0116 2615383 M: 0772 9628319 Louise.Warner@LeicesterCofE.org

Peterborough Diocesan Safeguarding Team:

Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Carole Fitzsimons
carole.fitzsimons@peterborough-diocese.org.uk 01733 887040

Safeguarding Learning Development & Case Worker: Amie Freeman
amie.freeman@peterborough-diocese.org.uk 01733 887041

Assistant Safeguarding Officer : Angie Barber
angie.barber@peterborough-diocese.org.uk 01733 887039

Safeguarding Admin Assistant: Sharon Welbourne
sharon.welbourne@peterborough-diocese.org.uk 01733 887027

Safeguarding team email address: safeguarding@peterborough-diocese.org.uk

Office hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

If you have concerns for a child, young person or vulnerable adult who is not in immediate danger:

Revd Alison Myers, Safeguarding Co-ordinator for Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults is available to speak to guests, staff and volunteers and can be contacted 07884 370933 or email alison.myers@launde.org.uk.

If Alison is not available please contact Rachael Spiers, the Leicester Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, above. More information about Leicester Diocesan safeguarding policies and provision can be found at: https://www.leicester.anglican.org/safeguarding

Are you worried about domestic abuse or sexual violence?

United Against Violence and Abuse provides a helpline for free confidential advice and support for males and females aged 13 and over in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

UAVA can be contacted by phoning 0808 80 200 28.

A service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role in the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group.

If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have need to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent, unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. Safe Spaces can provide a range of help, including advocating with authorities and other agencies, giving emotional support, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding your needs and working together on individual support plans.

Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
LiveChat – via the Safe Spaces website