We are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members, particularly the children and young people.

Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Adults in the Church

• We recognize that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
• As members of this parish, we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all children and adults to whom we minister.
• We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and commit ourselves to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.
• The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable. We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.
• We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
• It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of children or vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect. We will respond without delay to every reported concern, and we will co-operate with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.
• We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children or people who may be vulnerable, including the request for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance when required, to be processed by our Parish Safeguarding Officer. We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following the House of Bishop’s guidance and the advice of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
• The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst children or people who may be vulnerable.
• The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.
• Each person who works with children or vulnerable adults will agree to abide by these recommendations and guidelines established by this church.

If you are looking for advice about raising children or in relation to current issues that young people face, you may find some helpful articles here.

For further information and advice about safeguarding, please follow this link to the Diocese of Chichester Safeguarding Site.

You can read the Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy – Promoting a Safer Church here.