Safeguarding Policy

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

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

Specifically, within our Chaplaincy we are committed to:

  • The care, nurture, and respectful pastoral ministry of all children, young persons and adults.
  • The safeguarding and protection of all children, young persons and adults who may be vulnerable.
  • The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide 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.
  • Preventing abuse or the likelihood of abuse by encouraging and adopting a pro-active stance to safeguarding; responding to the slightest concern whether by rumour, speculation or from an anonymous source – every safeguarding concern will be taken seriously.
  • Ensuring that any concern about safeguarding must be passed onto someone in the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as 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 (e.g. other faith groups) in any investigation.
  • Seeking to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
  • Seeking to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
  • Seeking to offer 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.

If you have any queries please speak or contact the Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer whose details are shown below.

Full details of the Diocese in Europe Policy may be viewed on their website:
http://europe.anglican.org/what-we-do/safeguarding

How do we put into action our Policy?

The information given below will help you to understand what we do – and how you can help in reporting any suspected abuse. You can find more details on these matters in our full policy statement (which includes the detailed way in which this is implemented) available from the Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer

What do we mean by ‘Abuse’?

The groups of concern include children and young people under the age of 18 who are vulnerable because of their age and life experience and also adults who may be vulnerable for a variety of reasons including a disability, an illness or their advanced years. The nature of the abuse can include playing on people’s emotions, neglecting their needs, physical or sexual assault.

People with special responsibilities

The Chaplaincy has appointed a Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer who is responsible for the overall coordination of safeguarding in this Chaplaincy. If you have any questions or concerns about our safeguarding policy or any worries about someone being abused, please speak to them in absolute confidence.

Safeguarding Officer:    Kristen Postma
                         E-mail:    safeguarding@holytrinityutrecht.nl

People in our Chaplaincy who work with children and vulnerable adults

People who work with children and adults who may be vulnerable may be required to be checked to ensure that they have no history which may make them unsuitable for that role.  The chaplaincy complies with the Diocesan requirements for such checks.  The Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer can provide more information.

Other groups who use our premises

Other (i.e. non-Chaplaincy) groups who use our premises for activities involving children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable must either: Have their own policy in place which must include all of the diocesan requirements; or commit themselves to following our policy at all times whilst using our premises.

The Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer can provide more information.

Reporting suspected Abuse

Everyone has a responsibility to be vigilant to spotting incidents of abuse. If you become aware of abuse in any form (no matter how seemingly trivial) please tell the Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer (or the Chaplain, a Warden, the Area Dean or Archdeacon) as soon as you can.

If you would prefer, you can call the diocesan confidential telephone line – 0044 207 898 1163 – and leave a message as to your concerns.  The Diocesan Safeguarding Team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The diocese will then ensure that the concerns are properly investigated and will let you know what the outcome is.

In addition, it is of course your right and duty as a citizen to inform the local law enforcement agencies where you believe a criminal offence has been committed.