Promoting a Safer Church presents the Church of England's policy statement for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The legal trustees of each of the parishes in the Harborough Anglican Team have endorsed this policy statement and commit to the foundations it promotes.

This policy statement forms our Safeguarding Policy and applies to all of the parishes and churches in the Harborough Anglican Team, and all those employed or volunteering in any church activities.

You will find a copy of this Policy Statement in each of our churches and church buildings. It is also available to view online.

Creating a safe environment for people to know God’s love, especially at times of particular need and vulnerability, is at the heart of what we are about as churches.

We take the safeguarding and flourishing of all, and particularly children and vulnerable adults, seriously and are deeply grieved at the times in years past when the church, other charities, institutions and organisations have not been safe enough places leading to devastating pain and horrific abuse.

Many in our churches, including all members of trustee/leadership teams (known as Church Councils), the staff team, any who have responsibility for ministries with children and vulnerable adults, and all who lead them, have been trained in both general and specific aspects of safeguarding.

Each church has rigorous processes and procedures, which are regularly reviewed and updated by the Parish Safeguarding Officer for that church.

We are working hard to ensure our churches are as safe as they can be made, so that all can flourish, whilst recognising cultural change doesn’t happen overnight and we cannot be complacent that there is always more that can be done.