Our Benefice is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults, and has adopted the House of Bishops’ Promoting a Safer Church policy. If you have immediate concerns, contact the police or Northumbria Health Authority OneCall: 01670 536400. For other concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, contact a Parish Safeguarding Officer below, or Jill Thirlaway, Diocesan Safeguarding Casework Adviser.
St Michael & All Angels, Ilderton: Janet Laycock: 07368 318427
St Mary & St Michael, Doddington: Caroline Burn: 07970 022375
St Gregory the Great, Kirknewton: Fr Paul Knox: 07759 920454
St Mary the Virgin, Wooler: Liz Openshaw: 07742 091411
Jill Thirlaway: Diocesan Safeguarding Casework Adviser:
safeguarding@newcastle.anglican.org 07738 415238
If you would like to review the Safeguarding policy for the parishes of The Cheviot Benefice (that is the parishes of Doddington, Ilderton, Kirknewton and Wooler) please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused.
We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.
The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies, Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and adults, has a role to play.
The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.