At Hill City Church we care about the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of everyone who comes through our doors. The safety of children, young people and adults at risk is a core value of our church, and their welfare comes before every other consideration.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Otherwise, tell our Safeguarding Lead today. You do not need to be certain, and it is not your job to investigate. Never keep a safeguarding concern to yourself.
Who to contact
- Safeguarding Lead: Jenny Price
- Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Lindsay Osbourne
- Email: hillcitysafeguarding@nullgmail.com
If your concern is about the Safeguarding Lead, contact the Deputy or any of our Elders. You can also contact any of the organisations below directly – you never need anyone’s permission.
| Organisation | Contact |
|---|---|
| Police – emergency | 999 |
| Police – non-emergency | 101 |
| Torfaen Children’s Services | 01495 762200 · cs.contact@nulltorfaen.gov.uk |
| Torfaen Adult Services | 01495 762200 · socialcarealltorfaen@nulltorfaen.gov.uk |
| Out of hours (Emergency Duty Team) | 0800 328 4432 |
| Thirtyone:eight safeguarding advice | 0303 003 1111 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) |
| NSPCC Helpline | 0808 800 5000 |
| Childline (for children and young people) | 0800 1111 |
| Live Fear Free (domestic abuse, Wales – 24 hours) | 0808 80 10 800 |
If you are worried about someone
- Make sure they are safe. Get medical attention if it is needed. Stay with them if you can.
- Write it down – the same day. What was said or seen, in their own words where you can. Note the date, time, place and who else was there. Keep facts and your own opinion clearly separate.
- Tell the Safeguarding Lead – the same day. If they are unavailable, tell the Deputy. Say nothing to the person the concern is about.
If someone starts to tell you something
Do
- Stay calm. Listen, and keep listening.
- Take your time.
- Act as though you believe them.
- Keep any questions open-ended.
- Say “thank you for telling me”.
- Tell them it is not their fault.
- If they want privacy, move somewhere still visible to others – door open, near a busy area.
Do not
- Promise to keep it secret – you cannot.
- Question, probe or investigate.
- Show shock or disgust.
- Put words in their mouth.
- Judge the person they describe.
- Speak to the person accused.
- Wait to see if it happens again.
Things that should make you stop and think
In a child: unexplained injuries · a big change in mood or behaviour · fear of a particular adult · sexual knowledge beyond their age · unexplained gifts or money · an older, controlling friend · going missing.
In an adult at risk: unexplained injuries · withdrawal or fearfulness · decline in appearance or health · money going missing, unpaid bills, or a new person handling their finances · someone who answers for them or controls access to them · reluctance to go home.
In a volunteer or leader: secrecy · private contact with a young person · favouritism or singling someone out · giving gifts · ignoring the rules on being alone · anything that makes you uneasy.
There may be perfectly normal explanations for any of these. It is right to feel concerned, and right to pass the concern on.
Nobody can stop you reporting.
If you think a concern has not been acted on, go to the Deputy, then the Elders, then contact social services or the police yourself. You never need anyone’s permission, and no one may prevent, delay or discourage you. Raising a concern in good faith will never count against you, even if you turn out to be mistaken.
Our Safeguarding Policy
Our full Safeguarding Policy covers children, young people and adults at risk, and follows the Wales Safeguarding Procedures. Everyone who serves at Hill City Church is safely recruited, trained, and re-commits to the policy every year.
Version 2026.3 · Next review due October 2027