The following policy was agreed at the Newcastle City Centre Chaplaincy Trustees meeting held on 21st July 2020 and authorised by the four Founding Sponsors.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our city centre chaplaincy 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 chaplaincy.
  • 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.

The Chaplaincy will:

  • Create a safe and caring place for all.
  • Have a named Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer {CSO) to work with the Lead Chaplain and the Chaplaincy team 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.
  • Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the chaplaincy.
  • Display in chaplaincy premises and on the chaplaincy 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.
  • 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 Adviser (DSA), Chair of the Trustees and statutory agencies immediately.
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  • As part of our safeguarding procedures the lead chaplain will conduct an annual performance assessment review (PAR) of the team, and regular monitoring of all employees and volunteers.
  • Ensure that all chaplains will be cleared by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before embarking upon any training or chaplaincy duties.
  • 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 within this chaplaincy community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this chaplaincy.

As a temporary measure, the Lead Chaplain is acting as the first point of contact (TCSO) until the recruiting process for a permanent CSO is complete.