Safeguarding

At HT we affirm the Church of England’s ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across the church and that everyone associated with HT and who comes into contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults, has a role to play. 

All safeguarding work is undertaken within a legislative framework supported by government guidance which sets out a range of safeguarding duties, responsibilities and best practice. HT ensure ‘due regard’ is taken to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this includes both policy and practice guidance). A copy of ‘Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishop's policy statement (2017)’ can be found here. 

PCC Safeguarding Policy Statement Holy Trinity Cambridge

• Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. This implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

• We accept and endorse the principles set out in 'Promoting a Safer Church; House of Bishops Policy Statement (2017)'.

• We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people and adults at risk.

• We recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church.

• We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children and adults at risk, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

• We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or adult at risk may have been harmed, cooperating fully in any investigation.

• We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care to anyone who has suffered abuse.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community, know to have offended against a child, young person or adult at risk. 

Policies & Guidelines

Safeguarding Policy

This is a  general policy that provides procedures for promoting safeguarding, preventing abuse and protecting children, adults at risk, and staff. It includes clear procedures for taking appropriate action when safeguarding concerns are raised involving children and adults within the Church, or those who attend Church activities and events.

Safeguarding Team 

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is the first person to speak to if you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or adult with vulnerability.

If you would rather speak to someone outside of the church, please see the contacts below or visit the Diocese Safeguarding website.

In addition, Safe Spaces is an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. This independent service is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone - 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times), email: safespaces@victimsupport.org or web-chat via www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/

Forms

Below are forms for logging a concern, incident or accident. Email completed forms to: safeguarding@htcambridge.org.uk.
All forms will be looked at within 24 hours. In a safeguarding emergency, please contact the Police or Social Care