St Swithun’s is committed to making sure that everyone can worship and grow in Christ safely. Our Safeguarding Officer works closely with the Vicar to make sure that St Swithun’s remains a safe place for children and adults, including those who are vulnerable. Any safeguarding concerns, including those regarding children, young people or vulnerable adults, should be reported to the Safeguarding Officer or Vicar as soon as possible and will always be dealt with quickly and sensitively with support from the Diocese and additional services as necessary. 

Safeguarding

Report a concern

Our Safeguarding Officers

A woman with blonde hair wearing a white top, pearl necklace, and purse, standing outdoors in sunlight.

Hilary Saunders

safeguarding@swithun.org.uk

A priest standing in a church with a smiling face, crossing his arms, wearing a black clerical shirt with a white collar, in front of wooden church pews and an organ with decorative shields, a clock, and heraldic symbols.

Vicar, The Revd Luke Whiteman

vicar@swithun.org.uk

01342621141

Useful Links and Information

  • If you are a child and you need to talk to someone about things that are happening to you that you don’t like, please click on this link which takes you the Childline website, or telephone Childline on 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/  

  • If you are an adult and you need to access support about something that is happening to you, please click on this link to find out how you can do that. Scroll down to find links to various support organisations for you to contact.  https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/Ihavebeenabused/ 

  • If you need to report a safeguarding concern to the statutory authorities in Sussex, please click on this link, click on the option on the left that most describes the situation you are concerned about, and follow the advice and further links you find there. Please remember to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as well once you have contacted the statutory authorities. https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org/whatdoidoif/ 

  • NSPCC: 0808 800 5000  
    Childline: 0800 1111  
    Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900  
    NAPAC: 0808 801 0331  
    Samaritans: 116 123  
    Family Lives: 0808 800 2222  
    National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247  
    Action on Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141  

  • The PCC considers the safeguarding inside the church every time it meets. As part of that, we have adopted the following policies to guide our practices. 
     

    • Promoting a Safer Church 

    • Responding to Safeguarding Allegations 

    • Attached document produced by CoE in 2022 and noted by PCC in September 2025 

    • Parish Whistleblowing Policy 

    • Attached document produced by CoE in 2022, not formally reviewed/noted by PCC to date 

    • Code of Safer Working Practice 

    • Attached document was noted by PCC in September 2025 

    • E-Safety Policy 

    • Attached document produced by CoE in 2022.  Not formally reviewed/noted by PCC to date