For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ (Ephesians 2:8-10).

HomeCaringA Safe Church: Grace Church…

Grace Church Safeguarding Policy

The protection from harm of children and adults who may be vulnerable is of paramount importance to us. As a church plant of Holy Trinity Utrecht, which is a chaplaincy within the Diocese of Europe, we comply with the requirements of the Diocese’s Safeguarding Policy.

We do not tolerate the abuse of children or adults in any form.

Specifically, within our congregation we are committed to:

  • The care, nurture, and respectful pastoral ministry for all children, young persons and adults
  • The safeguarding and protection of all children, young persons and adults who may be vulnerable
  • The establishing of a safe, caring community which provides a loving environment where there is a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ as to the dangers 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 (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag i.e. VOG).
  • Preventing abuse or the likelihood of abuse by encouraging and adopting a pro-active stance to safeguarding – every safeguarding concern will be taken seriously.
  • Ensuring that any concern about safeguarding must be passed onto someone in the Diocesan Safeguarding Team where there are no legal barriers to sharing such concerns.
  • Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed – co-operating with the local police, relevant local agencies and any other relevant body (eg other faith groups) in any investigation.
  • Seeking to work with anyone in our church community who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care and referral to the proper authorities.
  • Seeking to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
  • Seeking to offer the appropriate 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.

Approved May 2016.

If you have queries or concerns with respect to safeguarding at Grace, please contact the Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer at gracesafeguarding@gmail.com .

For information on our Diocese’s Safeguarding policy and resources, as well as contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, please see: https://www.europe.anglican.org/resources/safeguarding-diocese-europe