Church of the Ascension, Cadenabbia
Safeguarding Policy
We will not tolerate the abuse of children or adults in any form
Specifically, within our chaplaincy we are committed to:
- The care, nurture and respectful pastoral ministry of all children, young persons and adults.
- The safeguarding and protection of all children, young persons and adults who may be vulnerable.
- The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ as to the dangers of all forms of abuse.
- The careful selection and training of all those with any safeguarding responsibility within the Church, including the use of available criminal records disclosures and relevant vetting and barring schemes.
- Preventing the abuse or likelihood of abuse by encouraging and adopting a pro-active stance to safeguarding, responding to the slightest concern whether by rumour, speculation or from an anonymous source – every safeguarding concern will be taken seriously.
- Ensuring that any concern about safeguarding must be passed on to someone in the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as there are no legal barriers to sharing such concerns.
- Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that a child, young person or vulnerable adult may have been harmed – co-operating with the local police, relevant local agencies and any other relevant body (e.g. other faith groups) in any investigation.
- Seeking to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
- Seeking to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
- Seeking to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
Adopted by Church Council on 12th November 2020
Reviewed November 2021
Our church safeguarding officer is Elizabeth Haddock who can be contacted on safeguarding.cadenabbiachurch@gmail.com