The Diocese of Liverpool takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England’s robust procedures and guidelines. This section gives you the information you need to make sure that you protect those who are vulnerable.
The Diocese of Liverpool aims to:
- Promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of harm
- Prevent abuse occurring
- Protect those at risk of abuse
- Respond well to those who have been abused
Reporting Abuse
If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention, call 999.
If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, please speak to a safeguarding professional about your concern as soon as possible. If you have significant concerns please report to children’s social service or adult’s social services without delay. Contact details for local councils across the Diocese can be downloaded here – council safeguarding links
When reporting a concern to the Safeguarding Team please be sure to contact them using the information shown below:
Mick Murphy, Acting Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser – email: mick.murphy@liverpool.anglican.org or telephone 07376431466
Karen Williams – Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Please note Karen is currently away on annual leave until Monday the 9th February 2026)
Lauryn Dobie – Safeguarding Officer for Liverpool Cathedral and The Diocese – email: lauryn.dobie@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk or tel 07904418048
Outside office hours For urgent safeguarding advice during out of office hours – between 7-00am-9.00am and 5pm-midnight weekdays, weekends and bank holidays please call our partners Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111 (option 1) for confidential advice, guidance and support.
The Responding Promptly to Every Safeguarding Concern or Allegation flow chart can be downloaded and can help guide you through the responding and reporting process – Responding Promptly to Every Safeguarding Concern or Allegation
If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns directly to the National Safeguarding Team please email safeguarding@churchofengland.org.
Our Support for Survivors and Victims
Reporting abuse may be very difficult and distressing. Liverpool Diocese aims to deal with any contact made by a survivor/victim of abuse in a church-related context with empathy and integrity. Click here for information about how you can get support and advice
Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. Find out how to access support here.
Other support
You may wish to contact one of these 24-hour helplines to report abuse
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
- Samaritans Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9 – 5 pm).
- Sexual Violence Support website: Find Specialist Support in The North West – Sexual Violence Support
Parish Advice
Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
- The procedures and guidance of The Church of England’s Parish Safeguarding Handbook
- The House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’
- A model safeguarding policy statement
- Safer Environment and Activities
- Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance
- Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse
- Responding Well to Domestic Abuse Practice Guidance
- Guidelines for Children & Youth Ministry in personal Homes
- Working Safely with Children and Young People
- A3 Safer Church Poster
- Lone Worker Policy
For further information and advice please use the following links:
- Safer Recruitment and People Management- click here
- Safeguarding Training – click here
- DBS Checks – click here
- Domestic Abuse – click here
- Support for Survivors and victims – click here
- Serious Incident Reporting – click here
- Support for Parish Safeguarding Officers – click here
- Complaining about the Safeguarding Service – click here
- Risk Assessments – click here
For general safeguarding enquiries please contact the Safeguarding Team safeguarding.team@liverpool.anglican.org
Safeguarding Team Contact Numbers:
Mick Murphy, Acting Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser – email: mick.murphy@liverpool.anglican.org or telephone 07376431466
Karen Williams – Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Please note Karen is currently away on annual leave until Monday the 9th February 2026)
Lauryn Dobie – Safeguarding Officer for Liverpool Cathedral and The Diocese – email: lauryn.dobie@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk or tel 07904418048
For queries relating to safeguarding training contact Sarah McKeown, Safeguarding Training Officer – email: sarah.mckeown@liverpool.anglican.org. Sarah’s normal hours of work are Monday – Wednesday
For support with DBS, safer recruitment and safeguarding dashboards please contact Debbie Doran – email: deborah.doran@liverpool.anglican.org or tel 0151 705 2124. Debbie’s normal hours or work are Monday and Tuesday from 8.30am-5.30pm