Safeguarding Training
The Church has a responsibility to ensure that all those who undertake work in the name of the Church - whether clergy, religious or lay people, paid employees or volunteers - are adequately trained in safeguarding matters and are fully aware of the role they play in safeguarding vulnerable people.
The Bishop, Trustees and Safeguarding Commission therefore expect all volunteers to attend a face-to-face Deanery training within the first year of their appointment. This training should be refreshed every three years.
To check the dates for upcoming training sessions within the Guildford Deanery please visit the Diocesan website www.dabnet.org and search on the ‘Courses and Events’ link.
EduCare E-Learning
The Catholic Church has set up in conjunction with EduCare, a national online training provider, an e-learning package which offers two online modules in Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding and which is available to all members of the Catholic community free of charge.
All volunteers should aim to complete this online training within three months of taking up their role.
The modules can be studied at your convenience and an EduCare Learning certificate is issued on successful completion.
To access the EduCare training resource www.educare.co.uk please take the following steps:
- Register with the Diocesan safeguarding office by emailing safeguarding@abdiocese.org.uk Your email should contain your name, your personal email address, the name of your parish and your role.
- On receipt of your email the safeguarding team will register your email address with EduCare.
- You will receive a welcome email from EduCare with login details and a request to set your password. Please check your junk folder if you do not receive a prompt welcome email.
- You will then have instant access to the training programmes available from www.myeducare.com
- On completion of your training, please email your certificate to the safeguarding office and copy your email to the Parish Safeguarding Representative.
Safer Recruitment
All volunteers are required by the Diocese to undergo DBS checks prior to taking up roles in the Parish. The DBS checks are renewed every three years and after your first check it is advisable to register with the online update service as this makes subsequent checks easier and quicker.
All volunteers are also required to
- provide two references
- provide confirmation of their ID
- agree to undertake relevant safeguarding training
- adhere to the Code of Conduct agreed for all leaders and helpers in the Parish
- sign a written agreement as a volunteer leader/helper
Download a copy of the written agreement here
Diocesan and National Safeguarding Structures
Diocesan Safeguarding Commission
The Diocesan Safeguarding Commission is responsible for ensuring that the national safeguarding procedures for the Catholic Church are implemented at the Diocese and Parish level, and that clergy and volunteers are made aware of the agreed procedures and their implementation.
The Commission also advises the Archbishop on child safeguarding issues; enquires into any allegation of or concern for inappropriate behaviour or actual abuse of children or vulnerable adults by any person working for the Diocese either paid or voluntary; liaises with the statutory authorities; and ensures that there is appropriate pastoral care and support for victims and those against whom allegations have been made.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Commission can be contacted via the Diocesan Safeguarding Office on 01273 241203.
National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC)
The NCSC is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Church’s safeguarding policy and monitoring compliance. It is mandated to ensure that standards are met, and policies implemented. It does so in the spirit of the Church’s call to ‘act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God’ (Micah 6.8).
The NCSC sets and directs the work of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) which was established to drive forward improvement in practice. Its primary role is one of co-ordination, advice and support in respect of the wider job of safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
Telephone: 07530 972830
Website: www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS)
CSAS reports to and provides expert advice to the NCSC on safeguarding matters. It oversees and co-ordinates safeguarding training, ensuring that the Church’s policies on safeguarding are kept up to date with good practice and are accessible to people at all levels in the Church. CSAS is responsible for driving and supporting improvements in safeguarding practice. CSAS is the registered body for the DBS.
The ‘Resources’ page of the CSAS website contains a comprehensive selection of information sheets regarding all aspects of Safeguarding.
Telephone: 0207 9011920
Website: www.csas.uk.net
Safeguarding Coordinator: