Grace Church is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs as well as ensuring their well-being.

We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, psychological, financial and discriminatory abuse and neglect of adults at risk of harm and abuse and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

We recognise adults' personal dignity and rights and will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this.

We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of Grace Church.

We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and adults with care and support needs.

We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy. We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing or are at risk of significant harm.

• Following statutory and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that all workers and volunteers work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.

• Implementing the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislation.

• Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.

• Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to Safeguarding.

• Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines we establish.

• Supporting all in Grace Church affected by abuse.

• Children’s Services has the lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.

• Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.

• Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

If you have any concerns for a child or adult with care and support needs then speak to one of the following people who have been approved as Safeguarding Co-ordinators for Grace Church or contact the relevant authorities where a matter is urgent if these persons cannot be reached:

Grace Church Safeguarding Coordinator:

Rebekah Chalmers: 07813942266

Grace Church Designated Safeguarding Leader

David Keeping: 07588589414

Thirtyone:eight (Previously, Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service) 

Telephone: 0845 120 45 50

Children’s Services:

During office hours: 01782 235100

Out of office hours: 01782 234234

Adult Social Care:

During office hours: 0800 5610015

Out of office hours: 01782 234234

Staffordshire Police:

Dial 101 or outside of Staffordshire 0300 123 44 55