Safeguarding
Safeguarding is embedded in everything the Archdiocese of Southwark does and the way in which we do it. All Clergy, Religious, volunteers, parishioners and staff follow the National and Archdiocese safeguarding policy, whatever part of the organisation they serve in. It is the responsibility of all adults to ensure that their behaviour is appropriate at all times, as laid out in the Pastoral Standards and Safe Practices in the Conduct of Ministry and the Archdiocese Code of Conduct for staff & volunteers.
It is the responsibility of all Clergy, Religious, volunteers, parishioners and staff to:
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Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people alongside Adults at Risk.
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Ensure that all reports of suspected or alleged abuse are taken seriously and are responded to and reported appropriately in line with the Archdiocese Safeguarding policy.
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Ensure children & adults are provided with opportunities to disclose any relevant details about their circumstances and that this information will be treated appropriately.
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Ensure that everyone is clear about their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and will be provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children & Adults at Risk.
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Securely maintain the confidentiality of any records in accordance with GDPR of all Children & Adult at Risk safeguarding concerns.
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Ensure that all adults undertaking roles and responsibilities with children & Adults at Risk are appropriately vetted and checked as per the National Safer Recruitment Policy, including where they are engaged in Regulated Activity with children or with adults & undertaken the relevant disclosure check.
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prevent the participation of unsuitable individuals through the robust use of disclosure checking and the application of best practice in the safe recruitment for Clergy, Religious, staff and volunteers working with children, young people and Adults at Risk
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Ensure that robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation and address any failure to comply with the Archdiocese safeguarding policy.
https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/mission/safeguarding/guidance-on-safeguarding-within-the-archdiocese-of-southwark/
REPORTING ABUSE
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased. If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police. If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese; the relevant diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the interactive map on the links page of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) website www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk. Contact details will be shown when you click on the relevant area of the map. You can also contact CSSA by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.
If your safeguarding concern is about a Salesian work or context please contact the Safeguarding Commission for Orders in Education desbill.scoe@gmail.com or the Safeguarding Lead at the Salesian Provincial Office, Thornleigh House, Sharples Park, Bolton, BL1 6PQ safeguarding@salesians.org.uk