Safeguarding

Our parish of Princes Risborough with Ilmer is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of Oxford’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO, Tony Eccleston [safeguarding@stmarysrisborough.org.uk] or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor [safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org]. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

2026 St Mary's Safeguarding Policy

Promoting a Safer Church

We want to be a church where everyone feels safe. Safeguarding our children and young people, the elderly and vulnerable is something that we take very seriously. We seek to create a safe environment for all who worship at the church, use its facilities, participate in its activities or work for the church. We aim to prevent opportunity for abuse or neglect and to create awareness so that action may be taken if either is perceived. The church’s safeguarding policy is reviewed annually and can be seen on church notice-boards and online at: St Mary’s with St Peter’s Safeguarding Policy.

To create this environment we provide access to training for all staff, church officials and volunteers according to diocesan recommendations, undertake DBS checks of staff and volunteers and provide advice for specific activities, e.g. to pastoral carers. We also take great care over our use of personal data. See our Data Privacy Policy.

What to do if you have a safeguarding concern

If someone is in immediate danger

If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call emergency services on 999.

If there is no risk of immediate harm

If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, please speak to a safeguarding officer about your concern as soon as possible. If you have significant concerns please report to children's social service or adult's social services without delay. When first reporting a concern, please be sure to make contact using the information shown below.

During office hours

If you have any concerns about the safety and well-being of another person, or if you have any questions about our procedures talk to our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Tony Eccleston.

  • The telephone number for safeguarding matters is 01844 273300 (the church office); when the office is closed, the answerphone message will direct those with urgent safeguarding issues to another telephone number.
  • The e-mail for safeguarding matters is safeguarding@stmarysrisborough.org.uk.

Alternatively, to contact the Oxford Diocesan safeguarding team call 01865 208 295 or email safeguardingreferrals@oxford.anglican.org for urgent safeguarding concerns Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm.

Outside office hours

For urgent safeguarding enquiries outside of office hours please call our partners Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111 for confidential advice, guidance and support.

Finding Support

We understand that reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing and that you may wish for immediate and professional assistance. Here are the contact details of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

  • NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
  • Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about any-thing.
  • National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing do-mestic abuse.
  • Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
  • Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).
  • If a child or older or vulnerable person is at immediate risk dial 999.