Safeguarding

• Posted In
• 1 July 2014

Safeguarding

Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults

The Archdiocese of Southwark is committed to the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Diocese co-operates fully with the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS), which aims to help the Church become an example of best practice in the Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults and develop a “culture of vigilance” to ensure that those in our care are kept safe from harm.

In addition, the Archdiocese has set up its own Safeguarding Team full details of the Commission Officers can be seen at

(http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/safeguarding.html)

In our parish the current Safeguarding Representatives are:

Marie Gurhy

Ian Middleton

Kathy Rice

Who can be contacted at any time on Tel. 0208 300 2480, or via email on sgdo@stlsidcup.org

The Parish Policy for St Lawrence’s is intended to address six main issues:

1. To raise awareness within the parish of the need to protect it’s most vulnerable members and how that protection can best be effected.
2. To ensure the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults of the parish whilst they are engaged in parish activities.
3. To regulate the appointment and training of parish volunteers working or proposing to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults of the parish.
4. To ensure that any allegations of abuse are addressed quickly and efficiently whilst offering maximum protection to the alleged victim and ensuring that the rights of the alleged abuser are protected.
5. To ensure that parish volunteers are protected from false allegations.
6. To ensure that where a known offender joins the parish community children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected and that the offender is protected from unjust treatment.

What should you do if you are being abused or are worried about someone?

Don’t ignore it!

Please contact the Parish Safeguarding Representatives or any of the agencies listed below.

We know that raising concerns about abuse is not easy and we will handle your call with care.

What happens then will depend on the seriousness of the situation?

• If you are the person being abused, we will offer you information and advice so that you can make an informed choice about any help you need or action you might want to take.
• If you are concerned about someone else, we will pass on the information to the relevant authorities through the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
• If you are contacting us about someone else and they are unable to make an informed choice, we will make sure they are properly cared for and protected.
• If you are being abused and feel unable to call us or one of the other agencies listed, tell someone you trust and ask them to do it for you.

The following are useful links:

Archdiocese of Southwark

Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service

CHILDLINE        0800 1111

NSPCC              0808 800 5000