Safeguarding at The Well
Everyone who comes to The Well, whatever their age, should be safe, heard and respected. If you are worried about a child or an adult, here is who to talk to and what happens next.
Someone in immediate danger? Call the police first, then tell our Safeguarding Lead.
Call 999Who to talk to
If you are worried about anyone's safety, tell our Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible. You do not need to be certain. Please do not investigate or confront anyone yourself.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Deborah Myers
First point of contact for any concern, disclosure or allegation.
Deputy DSL
Lorna Lewin
Contact if the DSL is unavailable or if your concern involves the DSL.
Safeguarding Co-ordinator (Trustee)
Dean Wright
Senior Leader. Oversees safeguarding arrangements and handles allegations against workers.
Our District 8 Safeguarding Officer is Bishop Nathan Simmonds. If you feel your concern has not been handled properly, you can also contact Children's Social Care, the Charity Commission or the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line (details below).
If a child tells you something worrying
Children are more likely to speak up when the adult they choose stays calm and listens.
Listen and stay calm
Let them speak in their own words. Take what they say seriously and reassure them they were right to tell you.
Do not promise secrecy
Explain that you will need to tell someone whose job is to keep them safe.
Tell the DSL straight away
Share what you heard or saw, as factually as you can. The DSL will complete our Record of Concern form and decide who else to inform.
The DSL makes any referral
Where needed, the DSL contacts Croydon's children's services, the police or the LADO. Data protection law never stops information being shared to protect a child.
Please do not
- question the child for more detail or ask leading questions
- speak to the parents, carers or the person named, unless Social Care or the police advise it
- attempt mediation between a young person and their family
- treat concerns about honour-based or faith-based abuse as "just cultural" or "just religious"
Contacting outside agencies
Our DSL makes referrals on the church's behalf, but anyone can contact these services directly if they believe a child or adult is at risk.
Children (Croydon MASH)
- Consultation line
- 020 8726 6464
- Urgent, same day
- 020 8255 2888
- Out of hours
- 020 8726 6400
- Emergency
- 999
- Croydon LADO
- 020 8726 6464
Adults with care and support needs
- Adult Social Services
- 020 8726 6500
- Out of hours
- Ask for the Duty Social Worker
- Non-urgent referrals
- referral.team2@croydon.gov.uk
Independent advice and support
- Thirtyone:eight (option 2)
- 0303 003 1111
- NSPCC Helpline
- 0808 800 5000
- NSPCC Whistleblowing
- 0800 028 0285
- Childline (for children)
- 0800 1111
How we keep people safe
Safeguarding is not just a set of procedures. It is part of how we lead, recruit, teach and worship.
Safer recruitment
Enhanced DBS checks for everyone in regulated activity, renewed at least every three years, with annual safeguarding training for all workers.
Clear boundaries for workers
Workers follow our Code of Conduct, never contact children through personal social media, and raise even small "low-level" concerns early.
Every child, without exception
We hold our Biblical convictions openly. They never change our duty of care: any child at risk of harm gets the same prompt, compassionate response.
Anti-racist, anti-discriminatory practice
Our workers are expected to identify and challenge racism and discrimination, not just be aware of it.
Online safety
We recognise risks from social media, gaming, generative AI and deepfakes, and treat online harm as connected to offline risk.
Photos and filming
No photos or video of children without prior written consent from a parent or guardian, and never on a personal device unless approved by the DSL.
What kinds of abuse and harm do we look out for?
Physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect; child sexual and criminal exploitation (including county lines); domestic abuse, which includes children who witness it; online abuse; child-on-child abuse; honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM; faith-based and spiritual abuse; trafficking and modern slavery; and radicalisation. Children often experience more than one harm at once, so we look at the whole picture.
Full definitions are in Appendix 1 of the policy.
Do you support unborn babies and young families?
Yes. If a worker thinks a pregnant person may need help to provide safe care for their baby, for example because of domestic abuse, substance misuse or mental health, they tell the DSL, who can seek advice from Croydon Children's Social Care. We also point families towards Croydon's Family Help and early help services before problems escalate.
What if the concern is about someone who works or volunteers here?
Tell the DSL or Deputy DSL. The Safeguarding Co-ordinator will then liaise with Children's Social Services, refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service or Charity Commission where appropriate. If both the DSL and Deputy are involved in the concern, contact the LADO directly on 020 8726 6464.
What if I'm not sure it is "serious enough"?
Share it anyway. Our policy asks workers to report low-level concerns, including a "nagging feeling", so patterns can be spotted before harm happens. Sharing a concern is not the same as making an allegation, and nobody who raises a genuine safeguarding concern will face retaliation.
How do you work with someone who has previously harmed others?
We work closely with statutory agencies, offer pastoral support and accountability, and put a written safeguarding agreement in place with clear boundaries and supervision on our premises. The safety of children, young people and adults comes before all other considerations.
Our Safeguarding Policy
The full policy for children, young people and adults, updated to reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2025).
Place of Worship:
All Saints C of E Primary School,
Upper Beulah Hill, London SE19 3LG
Correspondence Address:
The Well (Bethel), Denmark Road,
London SE25 5RE
T: 0300 777 7755
E: hello@thewellbethel.com
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