Cathedral Safeguarding Statement

The Interim Sub Dean and Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral fully endorse the Church of England's safeguarding policy statement: Promoting a Safer Church (2017) which states:

"The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all."

Christ Church Cathedral requires that all those who undertake activities on behalf of the Cathedral are familiar with, and comply with, the Cathedral's Safeguarding Policy and procedures.

Christ Church Cathedral provides all our people, including our Members of Chapter; clergy; staff; workers; volunteers; and scholars, with relevant and appropriate training, as well as access to professional safeguarding services, to ensure that we all are proactive in our approach to safeguarding and, as a minimum, we are compliant with our statutory responsibilities and policy commitments.

The Dean and Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral also commit to following the Principles of the House of Bishops’ six policy areas to structure its safeguarding arrangements, practice and procedures:

1. Promoting a safer environment and culture;
2. Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults within the Church;
3. Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation;
4. Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons;
5. Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons;
6. Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

Further information on Christ Church Cathedral and Church of England safeguarding policies and procedures is available and accessible via:

• Safeguarding: Promoting a Safer Church
• Christ Church Cathedral Safeguarding Policy & Procedures
• Christ Church Cathedral School Safeguarding Policy & Procedures

Christ Church Cathedral's Chapter Safeguarding Officer is Canon Dr Sally Welch.

If you have a safeguarding concern:

• where there is a risk of immediate harm please contact the Police on 999.
• that requires immediate attention please refer to the 'Signposting' information on Christ Church Cathedral's website
• that you wish to share with Christ Church Cathedral please email us on: sally.welch@chch.ox.ac.uk

The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey   Date: 13th February 2023
Interim Sub Dean

On behalf of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral