Welcome
To

Safeguarding

Newsletters Below

Safeguarding is a duty and is the mission of the Church. The Catholic Church in Scotland aspires to the highest standards with regard to the care and protection of children and vulnerable adults, and actively promotes justice for, and provides assistance to, those who have been abused.

Church jurisdictions are committed to respecting, protecting and nurturing the dignity of all people and are determined that the Catholic Church in Scotland will offer a safe place in all Church premises and activities, and with all Church personnel.

The church is committed to improving its Safeguarding culture and to rebuild trust and confidence in the ways that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe.

The Church's Safeguarding approaches, led by each Bishop and Major Superior, and delivered by clergy, Religious, Safeguarding personnel and lay people in every parish community, Religious Institute and Catholic organisation, are designed to protect and heal, to safeguard and nurture all who have contact with Catholic faith communities across Scotland

Safeguarding Prayer

Lord Jesus,

we praise you for calling us

to the service of others.

We pray for a generosity of spirit

to ensure the vulnerable are protected.

We pray for a compassionate heart

so that we will reach out to those who are

wounded by abuse.

We pray for courage and determination

as we seek the safety of everyone

in our parish communities.

We dedicate ourselves

to this work of service

and pray that you will help us

to do your will

at all times and in all places.

Amen.

Safeguarding
Coordinator

Annual Safeguarding Announcement 2024

[Statement to be read out at Sunday Masses on 5th/6th October by Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator]

My name is __Karen McArdle___ and I am the Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator.

The safeguarding statement is read out in all parishes in Scotland each year, around the feast of the Guardian Angels on 2nd October. I have been asked to read out the annual safeguarding statement from the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group.

‘In God’s Image’ is the Catholic Church’s instruction to all clergy, religious, employees and volunteers to work together to create and maintain a culture of care. We have an obligation to ensure that our parish communities are safe and welcoming places, where children and vulnerable adults are protected.

Our procedures are designed to create a safe culture. Safe recruitment practices ensure that volunteers only start their ministry once a series of suitability checks have been completed, including a Protection of Vulnerable Groups, or PVG, check if appropriate.

Activities for children and vulnerable adults are risk assessed to ensure we have appropriate numbers of adults supervising them. Those adults need to be clear about data protection, the appropriate way to communicate and the controls that need to be in place regarding the use of social media. The risk assessments also cover outings and the need for parental consent for trips and for any photography.

Crucially, the safeguarding training ensures that volunteers, group leaders, Parish Safeguarding Coordinators, clergy and religious know what to do if a safeguarding situation arises.

We have reporting measures so that concerns can be passed on and handled appropriately. Our Mandatory Reporting Policy is designed to ensure that any allegations of abuse are reported to the police.

Our safeguarding culture of care in every parish asks us all to be vigilant, to look out for each other, and to pass on any concerns. At the back of church, we have posters with my name and contact details. Please let me know if you have any concerns about a safeguarding matter in this parish.

There is a safeguarding page on the Diocesan website with further information and all the contact details for our Diocesan Safeguarding office. You can also email our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Jo Martin, directly from the webpage.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert wishes to express his sincere thanks to our clergy, religious, parish safeguarding coordinators, group leaders and volunteers as we work together to develop our culture of care. Thank you for keeping all of them – and the survivors of abuse – in your prayers.

Mistakes have been made in the past and we are truly sorry. Pope Francis has said that no effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent abuse - but also to prevent the possibility of cover up.

When we are alerted to concerns or allegations regarding the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, regardless of when this happened, we respond with care and compassion. We have a mandatory reporting policy if there is an allegation of abuse.

We have a parish, diocesan and national structure in place to ensure the vulnerable are protected and to reach out to those who are wounded by abuse. My contact details are on the poster in the foyer – or you can catch me after Mass for a private word if you have questions or concerns. You could also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Mrs Jo Martin, directly. Her contact details are also on the poster and the diocesan website.

Please keep in your prayers all survivors of abuse.

Thank you for listening today and for keeping all our parish safeguarding coordinators, volunteers, priests, deacons and religious in your prayers. We thank everyone who volunteers their time, expertise and skills to build up our parish community.