SAFEGUARDING POLICY

FOR THE GABRIEL SISTERS AND THE GETTALIFE PROJECT

‘Community’ is used hereafter to refer to both The Gabriel Sisters and our registered Charity, the Gettalife Project. In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, our Community is committed to:

ï Promoting a safer environment and culture.

ï Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Community.

ï Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

ï Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

ï Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

ï Responding to those who may pose a present risk to others.

Due to the Community’s dispersed structure and small size, these commitments may need to be enabled through cooperation with appropriate individuals, groups, or agencies set up to respond to and address the needs we may identify.

The Community will:

ï Create a safe and caring place for all.

ï Have a named Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) to work with the Apostolic Sisters to implement policy and procedures.

ï 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.

ï Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the Community.

ï Display on the Community website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

ï Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.

ï 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) and statutory agencies immediately.

ï Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.

ï Care for and monitor any member of the Community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

ï Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.

ï Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this Community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this Community.

This Community appoints Maureen Brathwaite as the Designated Safeguarding Person.

The Gabriel Sisters agreed on this policy on Tuesday, 3rd March 2021

and by the Gettalife Trustees on Sunday, 7th February 2021

This policy will be renewed annually: Next review: March 2027

Change Record

Date of Change: Changed By: Comments:
03/03/2021. C Sherman

Policy approved by the Sisters and Gettalife Trustees