Safeguarding

CHAPEL SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. This implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

• We accept and endorse the principles set out in ‘Safeguarding in the Diocese of London’.

• We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• We recognize that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.

• We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

• We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social care services in any investigation.

• We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them appropriate pastoral support.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our chapel community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

The Chapel Council agreed and adopted the above Policy and shall review it annually. A Safeguarding Officer and a Children’s Champion have been appointed; photographs and the names of those holding these appointments can be found on the Chapel’s noticeboard.

Copies of “Safeguarding in the Diocese of London” and any chapel guidelines and procedures are held by the Chapel Steward.