Safeguarding Statement – Tarporley Chapel

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Every person has a value and dignity as God’s creation, made in his image and likeness. Therefore, we are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, following government and Baptist Union guidelines to ensure the protection and care of individuals, good working practice, and safe recruitment of workers.

Summary of Policy

We believe that every child, young person and adult should be valued, safe and happy, and that they have the right to be treated with respect, listened to, and protected from all forms of abuse. We want the children and adults we come into contact with to know this, and be empowered to tell us if they are suffering harm.

We believe that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community, to help prevent abuse and neglect of children or vulnerable adults and to report any possible concerns.

We respect the rights of children as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and are committed to following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and good practice recommendations.

We adhere to the safeguarding policies of the Baptist Union who can be contacted for advice, referenced for resources, or reached as a point of contact if an individual cannot or wishes not to contact Tarporley Chapel Safeguarding Team directly.

We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of the church, unless they pose a risk to the safety of those we serve. We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of all those who will work with children or vulnerable adults, including use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures. We are committed to challenging the abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust, and to following up any allegations made.

We ensure the training of every individual involved in taking care of children or adults on safeguarding procedures, ensuring that they know and agree to abide by these recommendations and guidelines established.

We seek to support parents, carers and families in the role of nurturing and protecting children and young people.

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

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

A copy of the full Safeguarding Policy is kept on the noticeboard in the Chapel entrance or can be obtained on request from safeguarding@tarporleychapel.org.uk

Safeguarding Team

Vanessa King, Safeguarding Deacon & Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS)
Debbie Wood, Deputy DPS (with special responsibility for children)

Our Designated Person Safeguarding (DPS) is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns around the safety or welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

If you have any concerns, please email safeguarding@tarporleychapel.org.uk

Cheshire West and Chester

If you believe that someone is being abused, please contact the Community Access Team (CAT), or the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) for help and advice.

The Community Access team can be contacted 8.30am – 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am – 4.30pm on Friday. If you have an urgent concern outside these hours, or over a bank holiday, please call the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours).

• Phone: 0300 1237034

• Out of hours phone: 01244 977277 (EDT)

• Alternatively call Cheshire Police: 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency

Safeguarding Team

Cheshire West and Chester

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