The Diocese of Worcester is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults to worship and grow in Christ safely.
Contact the Team
If you have safeguarding concerns about the welfare of a child, young person or an adult, please email the Diocesan Safeguarding Officers for advice and support or phone 01905 732800.
If possible, please complete this referral form and attach it to your email – the team will contact you at the earliest opportunity.
*All WDBF email addreses end with “@cofe-worcester.org.uk” but have been partially hidden below to prevent spam.
hhigton@cofe-worcester.org.uk Hilary Higton
Director of Safeguarding and Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
dstokes@cofe-worcester.org.uk Delia Stokes
Assistant Safeguarding Officer
carden@cofe-worcester.org.uk Claire Arden
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
cgallagher@cofe-worcester.org.uk Casey Gallagher
Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (Training)
dbsadmin@cofe-worcester.org.uk Liz Toone
DBS / Safeguarding Administrator & HR Processes Coordinator (Working days Monday-Thursday)
Safeguarding
- For further information on Safeguarding children including a helpline phone number for advice external to the diocese, the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service may be helpful.
- For support and advice with regard to stopping child sexual abuse, the ‘Stop it Now’ website is very helpful.
- For advice on staying safe online in your homes and churches including concerns about social media, gaming platforms and tablet devices: CEOP’s ‘Think U know’ website has excellent resources for children, teenagers, teachers, parents and carers.
- For resources and support where you may be concerned about abuse of elderly, vulnerable adults, the ‘Action on Elder Abuse’ charity has a website and helpline for advice.
- For advice on domestic violence issues.
- Childline
- Parenting and Family Support
- Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide
- Women’s Aid
- Age UK
- Crimestoppers
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory panel has the responsibility of the governance of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in the Church of England in the Diocese of Worcester. The key purpose of the panel is to ensure that proper safeguarding procedures are in place, that all Church bodies and relevant people are aware of them and of their responsibilities, that they are being effectively implemented and that appropriate training is provided. The Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory panel is Geoff Taylor-Smith.
Geoff will work closely with our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers as well as other external bodies to ensure safeguarding in the diocese is as effective as possible and subject to robust and independent scrutiny.
Geoff is the Head of Children and Families for the YMCA in Worcestershire with responsibility for the strategic management and delivery of children and family services for the charity. In this role he is the designated safeguarding lead. Previously, Geoff held senior posts in several local authorities and most recently was an Assistant Director with Worcestershire County Council’s Children’s Services where he played a key role in the development and management of services for children and families. He was formerly a teacher after graduating from university and is a Foundation Director of St Nicholas Owen Multi-Academy Company, which comprises six Catholic schools.