Safeguarding
A commitment to safety, welfare, and care
Safeguarding is an integral part of the ministry at the South England Conference (SEC). It involves proactive actions to promote a safer culture within our churches and communities. This commitment is essential to creating spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.
How we serve
The SEC Safeguarding Team works to ensure robust safeguarding practices across all churches and ministries. Our key responsibilities include:
Promoting welfare: Advocating for the wellbeing of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Preventing harm: Proactively working to prevent abuse in all its forms.
Providing care and support: Offering guidance to those who have experienced harm.
Supporting Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and ministers to respond confidently to safeguarding concerns.
Delivering safeguarding awareness and training for church leaders and members.
Developing policies and frameworks that align with UK safeguarding standards and Seventh-day Adventist Church guidelines.
Collaborating with the British Union Conference (BUC) to enhance safeguarding practices.
Safeguarding in action
The South England Conference is committed to embedding safeguarding into every aspect of church life. Our work ensures that all churches and communities prioritise safety, accountability, and care. This includes:
Promoting a zero-tolerance culture of abuse.
Building safer environments for worship, education, and community engagement.
Encouraging ongoing vigilance and accountability in safeguarding practices.
Get in touch to report a concern, or to get advice and support.
Judy Clements OBE
Safeguarding Director
jclements@secadventist.org.uk
Natalie Bryan
Secretary
nbryan@secadventist.org.uk
We also have a dedicated inbox for concerns, feedback, and advice that is answered by the Safeguarding Lead and the Executive Secretary. Emails sent to safe@secadventist.org.uk are received by the Safeguarding Lead and the Executive Secretary.
Every church within the Conference has a Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) to assist with local safeguarding matters. For specific support, you can contact the local church’s DSP directly.