Parish Safeguarding

The Catholic Church upholds the personal rights and dignity of all people and recognizes each individual is made in the image of Jesus Christ and should be valued, supported and protected. The Church also recognizes that it has a special responsibility towards children, young people and vulnerable adults and is committed to a culture of safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.

In keeping with these responsibilities, the Parish is committed to taking all the appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment for all through constant vigilance. If and when concerns are expressed the Parish undertakes to liaise closely with statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are promptly and properly investigated.

All parishioners should be confident that the needs of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our Parish will be responded to sensitively and compassionately and that all vulnerable people will be kept safe from harm, cared for and loved by their Parish community.

Safeguarding Contacts

Parish Safeguarding Representative is Sarah Stilwell

Parish Safeguarding Phoneline is 07534 146908

This is a 24-hour confidential safeguarding phone line. If you are concerned about the abuse, neglect or harm of a child, young person or adult please leave a message on the ansafone and your call will be responded to asap. Alternatively you can phone Angela McGrory, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer on 07585 657090.

Police In an emergency: if you believe that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, then you should contact the Police on 999 (or 101 if not an emergency).

Concerns about Children

If you’re concerned about the safety of a child or young person contact Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPA): 0300 470 9100 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or 01483 517898 for the out of hours emergency duty team.

Concerns about Adults

If you're at risk of abuse or neglect, or suspect someone else is, you need to report this. Contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 0300 470 9100 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or 01483 517898 for the out of hours Adult Social Care emergency duty team.

Mental Health Crisis Helpline

Phone 0800 915 4644, open 24/7 for support for adults, children and young people in distress.

Child Line for any child who is struggling 0800 1111

Stop it Now child sexual abuse helpline 0808 1000 900

Hourglass stopping abuse of older people 0808 808 8141

Refuge National Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 2000 247

Family Action Parenting Help 0808 802 6666

Samaritans 24/7 phone support 116 123

Domestic Abuse Surrey Your Sanctuary 01483 776822

Modern Slavery helpline 08000 121 700

Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator:

Angela McGrory Email: angela.mcgrory@abdiocese.org.uk 07585 657090

Diocesan Safeguarding Office: Bishop’s House, The Upper Drive, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6NB

Email: safeguarding@abdiocese.org.uk T: 01273 241203 07391 415362

How does Safeguarding work in the Diocese?‍ The Bishop is responsible for Safeguarding issues in our Diocese. He delegates responsibility via the Trustees to the Safeguarding Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee, together with the Bishop, appoint a Safeguarding Co-ordinator, and Safeguarding Officers. The Sub-Committee is accountable to the Bishop and advises him on policy implementation and best practice. The Co-ordinator and Officers report to the Sub-Committee and are accountable to the Bishop via the Sub-Committee.

For more information visit the A&B safeguarding page: www.abdiocese.org.uk/safeguarding/home

Towards a Culture of Safeguarding

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 undertake diocesan Safeguarding Awareness training, irrespective of whether your role requires a DBS check. This training should be refreshed every three years, and ideally should be completed within three months of taking up your role.

If you have completed diocesan face to face training in the last 3 years, your training requirements are up to date. If you have not completed diocesan Safeguarding Training in the last 3 years you must complete the relevant online TES/EduCare module(s):

TES/EduCare E-Learning

The Catholic Church has set up in conjunction with TES/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.

The modules can be studied at your convenience and a TES/EduCare Learning certificate is issued on successful completion.

To access the TES/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 TES/EduCare.
You will receive a welcome email from TES/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
On completion of your training, please email your certificate to the safeguarding office and copy your email to the Parish Safeguarding Representative.

Safer Recruitment

Volunteers in DBS roles 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.

The process for safer recruitment includes:

two references
confirmation of ID
DBS check where relevant
agreement to undertake relevant safeguarding training
acceptance of 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

National Safeguarding Structures

Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA)

The CSSA holds a regulatory function extending to all dioceses and Religious Life Groups. It monitors compliance by Church bodies with the safeguarding standards adopted by the Church, using its own independent audit and review function and is empowered to undertake its role as a regulator through the freely entered into contractual relationships between it and the Church bodies it provides a service to. Through this, the CSSA has the powers to ensure that each Church body partnered with it, is complying with the published standards.

Website: www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/