St Mary's Church

West Chiltington

A Village Church for the Village

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your mind and with all your strength . . .

Love your neighbour as yourself. 

There is no commandment greater than these.”

A warm welcome

We are a small church with a big heart and a faithful congregation,

set at the centre of a beautiful village within West Sussex.

God loves you for being you, God created you as a unique, special, individual

we’d absolutely love to welcome YOU and your family to St Mary’s with open arms.

We shall help your spirit soar, your heart to sing with joy and your soul shall find rest.

You will come to know that you are Redeemed by God's love and grace through his Son Jesus Christ.

St Mary's takes its Safeguarding responsibilities seriously. Click here to view our Safeguarding pages.

Every prayer and blessing

Fr Stephen, Patrick Higham and Cosmo Goldsmith

Rector and Churchwardens,St Mary's Church, West Chiltington

Parish Safeguarding Policy

Parish Safeguarding Handbook  Model Parish Safeguarding Policy
Church of England 

 

The Parish of St Mary’s, West Chiltington

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 17th May 2023

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church 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 church.
  • 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 Parish will: 

  • Create a safe and caring place for all.
  • Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC 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 parish.
  • Display in church premises and on the Parish 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) and statutory agencies immediately.
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  • Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
  • 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 church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Parish Safeguarding Officer: Pam Wells, telephone 01798 813131 

Incumbent: Fr Stephen Merriman SSC

Churchwardens: Mr Patrick Higham and Mr Cosmo Goldsmith

Date: 17th May 2023

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