Safeguarding & Wellbeing

We are all responsible for safeguarding.

Every day hundreds of people enter the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, whether for worship, visiting or contributing to the Cathedral and wider community; to each, we have a duty of care, to create a safe space for all and, in particular, a responsibility for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

 

Report a concern INEQE audit Additional support

There is, in our society, a great concern that children are cared for in the best possible way and the Church takes this responsibility as one of its most important concerns.

Our duty of care, polices and guidelines apply to any Child, Young Person or Vulnerable Adult who visits our Cathedral and our Policy states that:

  • We are committed to respectful pastoral ministry to all adults within our Cathedral community.
  • We are committed, within our Cathedral community to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people. This encompasses those who live, work, worship and visit here.

As part of our commitment to both child and adult protection, we carefully select and train paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with these groups, using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if appropriate amongst other tools, to check their suitability.

See also:

If you have any queries or concerns in this regard, please address these in the first instance to: [email protected]

 

If you have a safeguarding concern or want to report abuse:

 

Please contact our Safeguarding & Welfare Team - 01227 865225 / [email protected]

If you would like support but feel that you do not want to speak to anyone at the Cathedral or Diocese, there are many other services available to you - please see Additional Support.

Report a safeguarding concern Additional Support Connecting Canterbury Living Directory

 

 

PLEASE SHARE YOUR VIEWS

Safeguarding Audit

INEQE Safeguarding has been commissioned by the Church of England to carry out a national safeguarding audit across all dioceses and cathedrals.

This audit will help build a clearer picture of our safeguarding practice, culture and lived experience, helping us to look at what we are doing well, and where we can continue to improve.
Your voice is an important part of that process. Whether are a member of the regular congregation, a member of staff, volunteer or those with lived experience - child or young person, victim or survivor - we warmly encourage you to take part and share your honest feedback.

How to get involved

The survey is open now and can be completed here or by using the QR code provided. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey that is relevant to you eg. congregation etc.

The surveys are anonymous and confidential. Responses go directly to INEQE’s independent audit team and are not seen by the Diocese or by the Church of England. You are not asked to identify yourself, and you can be open and honest in what you share.

The deadline to take part is Wednesday 9 September.

If you do not know the answer to a question, it is fine to say so. If you have difficulty accessing the survey online, please ask a friend to help or contact us at [email protected]

Thank you your support.

Complete the survey

 

TO REPORT AN EMERGENCY SAFEGUARDING CONCERN CALL THE POLICE AT 999
Alternatively, if you are at Canterbury Cathedral or in the grounds, you can contact the Cathedral Constables at 01227 866237 or go to the Constables’ office located by the main entrance to the Precincts, Christ Church Gate.

 

 

Report a non-emergency safeguarding concern

 

Are you concerned about the safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult?

Or is there something that you would like to discuss that affects you?

To report a non-emergency safeguarding concern, please complete the form linked below:

Report a non-emergency safeguarding concern

Additional Support

 

Safe Spaces is free and independent service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church - 0300 303 1056 / [email protected]

Building Hope (independent advocacy service) - 0300 110 110

Samaritans - 116 123 (24 hrs)

NSPCC - 0808 800 5000 / [email protected]

Childline - 0800 1111

MACSAS (Minister And Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) - 0808 8010 340 / [email protected]

Survivor Voices - Please use this contact form.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247

Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership - 0808 2000 247

Family Matters Kent - 01474 536 661 / [email protected]

East Kent Rape Crisis Centre - 0800 458 2318

Kent County Council Children’s Safeguarding - 03000 41 41 41 / [email protected]

Kent County Council Adult Protection - 03000 41 9191 / [email protected]

 

 

The Diocese of Canterbury Safeguarding Newsletter

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility - and we all need to work together to make our churches safer places for everyone.

This mailing will keep you up to date with the Diocese's upcoming training opportunities, as well as the latest national guidance and legislation.

Sign up to Safeguarding News

The Connecting Canterbury Living Directory

 

The aim of this living directory is to list the details of churches, charities, organisations, and individuals committed to supporting people in various types of need - located in and around Canterbury.

Connecting Canterbury is a Christian Charity run by volunteers supported by Christians Together in Canterbury and other Christians and churches in the local area under The Social Justice Network, part of the Diocese of Canterbury.

Find out more

Safeguarding News and Statements

Today, the Church of England has apologised for its historic involvement in mother and baby homes, roughly covering the period between 1949 and 1976.

Research has shown that, while experiences varied, some practices caused harm, including the separation of mothers and babies and a denial of dignity and choice.

The Church is encouraging anyone affected to come forward, be heard, and access support.

 

On behalf of Canterbury Cathedral, Canon Andrew Dodd said:

"The Church of England’s apology today acknowledges a painful truth, that in some Church affiliated mother and baby homes, mothers and children were separated, dignity was denied, and lives were marked by lasting trauma.

At Canterbury Cathedral, we stand with all who carry the weight of these experiences. We honour their courage in speaking out, and we recognise the many who have carried their stories in silence.

This moment calls us to humility, to listening, and to a renewed commitment to safeguarding the dignity of every person. Anyone affected is encouraged to come forward; we will listen with compassion and help connect people with appropriate pastoral or specialist support.

We pray that this apology marks a step toward healing, truth, and justice."

 

Find support and guidance

Joint Statement from Canterbury Cathedral and Diocese of Canterbury

The independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by the late John Smyth has been published today. We are conscious that the high profile nature of safeguarding publications can impact on survivors and victims. If you need support, please contact the Cathedral and Diocesan Safeguarding teams whose details can be found at www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding or www.canterbury-cathedral.org/safeguarding/

Canterbury Cathedral and the Diocese of Canterbury have robust safeguarding measures in place to protect children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty of care and responsibility which is an extremely serious trust, and one of our most important concerns.

A number of separate non-recent allegations of a serious safeguarding nature have been made against Revd David Marriott, who died in 1995. These relate to his time as Headmaster at the Canterbury Cathedral Choir School in the 1960s, and later in his role as parish priest in the Benefice of Wye and Brook.

Having made significant enquiries, we consider these allegations to be credible on the balance of probability.

We are saddened and ashamed that this has happened at the Cathedral and Diocese with our duty of care and responsibility to those in our charge. To that end, this case has been referred to our Interim Diocesan and Cathedral Safeguarding Advisory Panel Chair, Dr Liza Thompson, to consider whether the threshold for a Safeguarding Practice Review has been met.

As representatives of the Cathedral and Diocese, we apologise unreservedly to the survivors and victims, those who have come forward, all those in their cohort at the time, and to all others affected. We acknowledge the wrong and the harm experienced by the survivors and victims, and the ongoing impact this has had on survivors. We are truly sorry.

A specific complaint was also made regarding a plaque in memory of David Marriott at Wye Church. This complaint and the concerns of the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer and Archdeacon were brought to the PCC (Parochial Church Council). Following a meeting on 15 July, the PCC resolved to support an application to remove the plaque.

The relatives of David Marriott were also informed of the allegations, and offered support.

We thank those who bravely came forward to report their experiences. If there is anyone else who has any experiences or information they would like to tell us about, we welcome this and will provide support. Please contact the Cathedral and Diocesan Safeguarding teams whose details can be found at www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding or www.canterbury-cathedral.org/safeguarding/

Today, the Cathedral and Diocese have robust safeguarding measures in place to protect children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty of care and responsibility which is an extremely serious trust, and one of our most important concerns.

The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover

The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury

 

If you would like support but feel that you do not want to speak to anyone at the Cathedral, please contact Safe Spaces or The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC):

Safe Spaces

Website: https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/
Helpline: 0300 303 1056 (available Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm; Saturdays 9am to 1pm;  Sundays 1pm to 5pm)

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

Website: https://napac.org.uk/
Support line: 0808 801 0331 (available Monday to Thursday 10am – 9pm; Friday 10am to 6pm).

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