Safeguarding Policy: Promoting a Safer Church

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, Whirlow Grange Ltd (WGL) is committed to:

· Promoting a safer environment and culture.

· Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.

· Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation

· Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

· Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

· Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

Furthermore, WGL will:

· Create a safe and caring place for all and communicate this as a priority

· Have a named Safeguarding Officer (SO) to work with the Chair of the Board and the incumbent of All Saints to implement policy and procedures.

· Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse, including Spiritual Abuse*

· Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of WG Ltd

· Display, both on the premises and on its website, the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs

· Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse, including Spiritual Abuse*.

· Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

· Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse or when or where it occurred.

· Care for and monitor any member of the Whirlow community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

· Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.

· Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works/volunteers within the Whirlow Spirituality Centre remit will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by Whirlow Grange Ltd.

This Policy will be reviewed annually.

* At the time of writing, the helpfulness of the term Spiritual Abuse is subject of some debate. We will continue to monitor this and will discuss the appropriate term for our purposes. Coercive Control in Religious Contexts and Pastoral Abuse are proposed alternatives.

Reviewed and agreed by the Board on 28th November 2022