Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting children and adults from harm, and expect all members of our team (employees, community, agency workers and charity workers) to share this commitment.

If you are concerned that someone is being harmed, abused or neglected, contact one of the designated Safeguarding people below (within 24 hours if immediate action is required).

Full safeguarding policy

This policy was reviewed and updated on 18 February 2026 by Sue Cady.

The member of the Lee Abbey London Board of Trustees with responsibility for Safeguarding is David Morton (davidjmorton2@gmail.com).
The Director Mr James Fulford (jfulford@leeabbeylondon.com) is responsible for implementing this policy.

Lee Abbey London’s safeguarding policy applies to all employees, community, agency workers and charity workers.

The purpose of the policy is to protect service users and children from harm and to provide all employees, community agency workers, charity workers, and residents with information about the safeguarding policy adopted by Lee Abbey London.

• Lee Abbey London operates a policy of not accepting guests under the age of 18:
  • unless they are accompanied by and supervised at all times by a parent or legal guardian who takes responsibility for their care. This policy is made known to all guests at the time of booking;
  • unless they are part of a verified youth group or school (aged 14 years and above) accompanied bytheir leaders who retain parental responsibility for these young people and agree to act in accordance with our document titled “Procedure for Youth group Residentials at Lee Abbey London” which is sent and verified with the group prior to confirming their final booking.
• Lee Abbey London does not provide any regulated activities for children.
• Lee Abbey London does not provide any regulated activities or services for vulnerable adults.
• Vulnerable adults are people who are 18 years of age or older who are unable to provide for their own needs and protect themselves against abuse or serious exploitation due to impairment of mental, physical and emotional function.

As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding, it is expected that the director, deputy director and Chaplain have an enhanced DBS check. All senior staff appointments are subject to a basic DBS check.

It is the policy of Lee Abbey London to follow the Church of England’s guidelines on safer recruitment and adopt best practice procedures.

Lee Abbey London is an acknowledged Church of England Community and operates in accordance with the House of Bishops Policy Statements “Promoting a Safer Church (2017)” and “Protecting All God’s Children (2010)” and the diocesan Safe Guarding Policy “Promoting a Safer Diocese (2018)”.

Lee Abbey London is committed to:

• promoting a safer environment and culture;
• safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and adults at risk;
• responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation;
• caring pastorally for those who have been affected by abuse;
• caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons;
• responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

Lee Abbey London will:

• create a safe and caring place for all;
• listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse;
• have a named designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) to work with the director and board of trustees to implement policy and procedures;
• safely recruit, train and support all those within our staff and community to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• display on the premises and on the website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs;
• display and have procedures in place to report and inform appropriate agencies of anyone at risk of harm or causing harm to others due to their mental health;
• maintain and keep a secure written record of any safeguarding concerns raised and any action taken;
• take steps to protect young people, adults at risk and children when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises following the House of Bishops Guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies within 24 hours of a significant concern arising;
• offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of when or where it occurred;
• care for and monitor any member of the wider Lee Abbey London Community who may pose a risk to young people, vulnerable adults and children whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties;
• ensure that the Health and Safety Policy, Procedures and Risk Assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually;
• ensure the Lee Abbey London’s social media platforms are monitored, and guidelines are followed;
• review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually;
• ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities undertaken by young people and adults at risk and children undertaken in the community;
• ensure that regular hirers of our halls have a safeguarding policy in place;
• ensure all site contractors working in our building receive and sign a written statement of what behaviour is required when at work in our building regarding safeguarding

Mental Health and Wellbeing

All senior leaders will be trained as mental Health First Aiders. (The ALGEE action plan will be followed by them if an incident arises.)

Lee Abbey London will ensure that the details of sources support and mental health organisations are displayed in the building and in the residents’ handbook.

The DSP will initially ask for the permission of the resident to share information with agencies that offer support.

Lee Abbey London will contact the NOK and University of any resident who they consider to be at risk of harm if the resident or team member is unable or too unwell to give this consent in order to minimise the risk of further harm.

Additional information, reporting and guidance

If the DSP is uncertain whether a matter should be raised with the DSA, they should raise it in any event and keep a record of the discussion. If the concern is about the leader or DSP the matter should be raised directly with the DSA or Bishop.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact the Police on (9)999.

If a resident or team member is at risk of harm to themselves or others due to their Mental Health please phone the ambulance service (9)999 and inform the DSP and trained Mental Health First Aiders on site.

What to do if someone tells you about abuse

When someone raises a safeguarding issue with you, it is important to record what is said or seen and what action was taken.

• Keep calm – do not appear shocked or disgusted
• Accept what the person says without passing judgement (however unlikely the disclosure may sound)
• Look directly at the person
• Be honest
• Let them know you will need to tell someone else; don’t promise confidentiality
• Be aware the person may have been threatened and fear reprisals for having spoken to you
• Never push for information or question the person as this can undermine any subsequent criminal investigation. If at any point a person decides not to continue, accept that and let them know that you are ready to listen should they wish to continue at any time

Helpful things to say or show:

• Show acceptance of what the person says
• “I take what you are saying very seriously”
• “I am pleased that you have told me. Thank you for telling me”
• If appropriate:
  • “It isn’t your fault and you are not to blame at all”
  • “I am sorry that happened to you”
  • “I will help you”

Things not to say

• “Why didn’t you say something before?”
• “I really can’t believe it”
• “Are you sure this has happened?”
• “Why?” “Where?” “When?” “Who?” “What?” “How?”
• Don’t make false promises to the person (such as confidentiality).
• Never make statements such as ‘I am shocked!’ or ‘don’t tell anyone else’

Concluding the conversation

• Reassure the person that they were right to tell you.
• Let the person know what you are going to do next, and tell them that you will let them know what is happening at each stage.

What is abuse?

Given the risk of abuse to children and service users, all employees and charity workers should be aware at all times of the possibility of abuse towards people.

Abuse may be a single incident or something that occurs over a long period of time. It can take many forms including, but not limited to:

• financial or material abuse;
• physical abuse;
• psychological abuse;
• emotional abuse;
• neglect and failures to act;
• sexual abuse;
• threats of abuse or harm;
• controlling or intimidating conduct;
• self-neglect;
• domestic abuse;
• poor practices within an organisation providing care;
• modern slavery;
• sexual exploitation;
• organisational abuse;
• online abuse;
• bullying and cyberbullying.

The abuse may come from employees, personal assistants, service users, relatives, neighbours, social workers, providers of support services etc.

Contractors working at Lee Abbey London

Whilst working on the Lee Abbey London premises, we ask contractors to agree to abide by the following Safeguarding Statement and behaviour.

Protection of our residents, who may be young and vulnerable adults, is our highest priority. I will not:

• work in a closed room with a resident or staff member on my own (if I need to work in a room alone I will leave the door open or ask the resident to leave, or get a chaperone);
• have physical contact with a resident or guest;
• take photos of anyone without permission;
• post any content from Lee Abbey outside of Lee Abbey (unless it is technical content for a technical recipient only);
• befriend or exchange contact details with a resident or guest.