The Diocese of Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults and creating protective and supportive environments where all people, and especially those who may be vulnerable, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey in safety.
We follow the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and adults, and Church of England policy and practice which can be found here.
Our team is based at our Diocesan Offices at the following address:
Church House, St John's Terrace, North Shields, NE29 6HS or call 0191 270 4100.
Our Archdeacons are available for safeguarding advice:
The Venerable Catherine Sourbut Groves, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne: lindisfarne@newcastle.anglican.org
The Venerable Rachel Wood, Archdeacon of Northumberland: northumberland@newcastle.anglican.org
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser - vacant
Interim safeguarding contacts
Please direct safeguarding enquiries to the archdeacons:
The Venerable Catherine Sourbut Groves: 07436 220 872 / lindisfarne@newcastle.anglican.org
The Venerable Rachel Wood: 07469 950 198 / northumberland@newcastle.anglican.org
Maggi Creese, Lead Officer, Chaplaincy to Survivors
E-mail: m.creese@newcastle.anglican.org
Tel: 07826405972
Donna Brown, Safeguarding Operations Officer
E: d.brown@newcastle.anglican.org
Donna supports the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and the Parish Safeguarding Officers. Her responsibilities include organising safeguarding training for all who need it and the roll-out of the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard.
*UPDATED*: Independent Governance
The Diocese has a group of senior clergy, church officers and external safeguarding professionals, independently chaired by an external safeguarding expert. The group is responsible for overseeing the implementation of policy, training and the effectiveness and quality of safeguarding arrangements. For more information click here .
Safeguarding Strategy 2023 – 2026
This strategy continues the journey towards embedding a strong and positive culture of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the Diocese of Newcastle. We want to build on the progress so far and are passionate about ensuring that all who worship or are engaged with the Church feel safe and listened to when they have concerns. We all have a role to play in achieving this ambition and the voices of victims and survivors are central to our success.
Jackie McHanwell, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel Chair.
Please find the full safeguarding strategy here.