This document in Microsoft Word
Safeguarding :
Policy for the Rosminian Gentili
Province
Ð UK region.
Contents
A.
CSAS
B.
The Rosminians in the UK
C.
The purpose of this booklet
D.
Young people and vulnerable people
E.
The value and dignity of each person
F.
Government guidelines
G.
Vulnerable people
H.
National policy of support
I.
Signs of abuse in children
J.
The purpose of a safe environment
K.
Safer recruitment and selection
L.
Appointing volunteers and employees
M.
Principles for good relationships
N.
Physical contact Ð respectful touch
O.
Bullying: understanding and countering
P.
Principles of Best Practice for volunteers and clergy
Q.
Parish or Centre activities
R.
Registration
S.
Supply Priests
T.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
U.
Guidelines for Healing Ministry
V.
Retreats and visits away
W.
Visitors to our premises
X.
Risk Assessments
Y.
IT and Photography
Z. Texting,
Emails and Computers
AA.
Whistleblowing
BB.
Role of the the Support Person, Role of the Advisor
DD.
Appendix 1. Form for Parish Volunteers
Appendix 2. Registration for Sacramental Groups
Appendix 3. Form for Hiring the Parish Centre
or Hall
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A. The Catholic
Safeguarding Advisory Service Ð CSAS, is the national agency for driving
and supporting improvements in safeguarding practice within the
Catholic Church
in England & Wales.
The Rosminians in the UK are committed to the safeguarding policies of the Catholic Church of England and Wales.
The Safeguarding Commission of the Diocese of Nottingham offers us
support and advice on all matters to do with safeguarding.
The Safeguarding Coordinator of the
Diocese of Nottingham is
Mr
John Creedon.
Registered
address of Family Care:
28, Magdala Road,
Nottingham.
NG3 5DF
Phone
0115 960 3010. Fax
0115 960 8374
Email:
John.Creedon@familycare-nottingham.org.uk
The
Rosminian Provincial is
Fr.
Joseph O'Reilly,
Clonturk
House, Dublin 9.
Email:
joeoreillyic@gmail.com
The
Province Safeguarding Coordinator liases with our Communities. He is
Fr.
David Myers,
St.
Joseph's, Cardiff CF14 3BA
Email:
dm@ic-uk.org
Tel. 07780 663051
Each
parish and centre has a local Safeguarding Representative who is advertised on
parish newsletters.
The Provincial has a Safeguarding Commission to assist this important work.
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B. The Role of the
Rosminian Father Provincial with the Safeguarding Coordinator and the
Safeguarding Commission
These are responsible for the
implementation of this policy, including;
Monitoring and evaluation;
Ensuring effective supervision of those
providing pastoral support;
Implementing processes for dealing with
disagreements;
Ensuring that every parish or centre has
its local Safeguarding Representative;
Publicising the availability of pastoral
support in every church or centre.
CSAS
,
39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX.
Website: www.csas.uk.net
CSAS is an agency of the Department of
Christian Responsibility and Citizenship of the Catholic Bishops' Conference.
This DepartmentÕs priorities are: -
á
Marriage and Family Life;
á
The support of marginalised and
vulnerable people;
á ÒLifeÓ issues and the dignity of the person.
CSAS also reports to the National Catholic
Safeguarding Commission which is chaired by a lay person, Christopher Pearson,
(July 2015), Sr Lyndsay
Spendelow RSM, (March 2015, Vice Chair)
CSAS, Its Role
and Tasks Include
á
Providing advice to members of the Church
about safeguarding issues.
á
Overseeing and co-ordinating safeguarding
training within the Church.
á
Ensuring the ChurchÕs policies on
safeguarding children and vulnerable adults are kept up to date with good
secular practice and are accessible to people at all levels in the Church, with
an emphasis on people in parishes.
á
Being the point of liaison with other
national stakeholders - both safeguarding units in other Churches and secular
organisations concerned with safeguarding children and vulnerable adults,
including Government.
á
Co-ordinating the work of the Review
Panels and maintaining up to date lists of appropriately trained investigators
and risk assessors
á
Producing an annual business report for
the public and wider Church community which reviews the work of the CSAS as a
whole and reflects on the achievements of the Diocesan and Religious
Commissions.
á
Acting as the Registered Body for DBS
Disclosures and in the future Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)
registration.
To access and view the national Safeguarding
policies and procedures of the Catholic Church of England & Wales please go
to www.csasprocedures.uk.net
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C. The Purpose of this
Rosminian Booklet
The Institute
of Charity (Rosminians) has been entrusted to guide various Parishes and
Centres in the United Kingdom.
This booklet assists our Priests and Brothers, and all who are involved
in these centres to maintain a safe place for our children and adults at risk.
The aim is to provide a clear set of actions for adults to follow when someone
brings to their attention, or they themselves observe, concerns about a child
or an adult.
National
procedures are in place to ensure a consistent, timely and person centred
response by all adults within the church and all its settings. They relate
to all children and young people who have not yet attained their 18th birthday,
and adults, who may be at risk of abuse or neglect and maltreatment.
These policies express the determination
within the Rosminian Family and the Catholic Church, to take all reasonable
steps to ensure that children and adults can participate in the life of the
church safely and can be supported and
protected where they may be at risk in other settings such as their own
homes, at school or in an institutional setting.
By adhering to the procedures, all adults
within our Rosminian parishes and centres, will be demonstrating their
commitment to promoting the welfare and well being of all children and adults
regardless of race, gender, disability, class or sexual orientation.
The procedures are in line with ÒWorking
Together to Safeguard ChildrenÓ 2015, the Government publication 'What to do if You are Worried a
Child is Being Abused' (DfE)
and the Care Act 2014 and related
statutory guidance.
Where a referral needs to be made to Children's
Social Care Services or the Police, following these procedures will facilitate
making the referral.
D. Young People and Vulnerable
People
We Rosminians
affirm the One Church approach to safeguarding children, young people and
adults through the promotion of a sustained and sustainable culture of constant
vigilance.
The Church recognises the personal
dignity and rights of all Vulnerable People towards whom it has a special
responsibility. The Church and individual members of it undertake to take
all appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment for all and to practice
fully and positively Christ's Ministry towards children, young people and
adults and to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order
to help keep them safe from harm.
The Church authorities will liaise
closely with statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are
promptly and properly responded to and where appropriate survivors supported
and perpetrators held to account.
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E. The Value and Dignity
of Every Person
Every human being has a value and dignity
which we as Catholics acknowledge as coming directly from God's creation of
male and female in his own image and likeness. We believe therefore that
all people should be valued, supported and protected from harm.
In the Catholic Church this is
demonstrated by
- the provision of carefully planned
activities for children and young people;
- supporting families under stress;
- caring for those hurt by abuse in the
past;
- ministering to and managing those who
have caused harm.
It is because of these varied ministries
that we need to take all reasonable steps to provide a safe environment for all
which promotes and supports their wellbeing. This will include carefully
selecting and appointing those who work with children, young people or adults
and responding robustly where concerns arise.
Children's Social Care Services, the Police, Health agencies and other statutory agencies who work with children and families have duties and responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
F. Government Guidelines
ÒWorking Together to Safeguard ChildrenÓ
of March 2015 refers directly to Faith Organisations and sets out the
responsibilities and expectations of all churches and faith communities in
safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.
It is recognised that churches provide a
wide range of services for children; and that religious leaders, staff and Volunteers have an important role in safeguarding
and supporting children and families.
All churches and faith communities are
expected to have in place arrangements which include:
Procedures to respond to and report concerns;
Codes of practice;
Safe recruitment procedures;
Information sharing arrangements;
Appropriate supervision and support for volunteers including safeguarding training and a local Safeguarding Representative.
G. Vulnerable People
The principles contained in The Care Act
2014 must be followed with the acknowledgement that the Catholic Church in
England and Wales must not act alone but in partnership with all other agencies
to prevent and combat the abuse of adults of abuse and maltreatment. In section
42 of the Care Act 2014 an adult who may be vulnerable to abuse or
maltreatment is deemed to be someone aged 18 or over, and:
Has needs for care and support
Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself
against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
H. National Policy for the
Support of Those Affected by Allegations of Abuse Within a Church Setting
The Scope of
the Church's Support Arrangements:
All children and young people under 18
who allege they have experienced abuse by an adult acting in a church capacity
within any parish, or other setting within the Catholic Church;
All those who are now adults but are
alleging that, as children, they experienced abuse by an adult acting in a
church capacity within any parish, congregation or other setting within the
Catholic Church;
All adults who allege they have
experienced abuse by an adult acting in a church capacity within any parish,
congregation or other setting within the Catholic Church;
The families of those who allege they
have experienced abuse by an adult acting in a church capacity within any
parish, congregation or other setting within the Catholic Church;
The Parish, or Religious centre,
including where abuse has or is alleged to have occurred in the past;
Priests or pastoral workers entering a
parish or apostolic work of the local community of Religious, where abuse has
or is alleged to have occurred.
To receive appropriate Pastoral Care according to their needs is the norm for
all members of the church. Where allegations of abuse lead to additional
support needs, the Church will so far as is reasonably practicable and
appropriate, either address those needs or liaise with statutory agencies to
assist the individual in accessing the appropriate support.
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I. Signs of Abuse in
children
The following section is intended to help
all adults who come into contact with children. It should not be used as
a comprehensive guide, nor does the presence of one or more factors prove that
a child has been abused, but it may indicate that you should consult with the
local Safeguarding
Representative.
The guidance for statutory agencies
require them to assess the needs of children and the risks to children, in
doing so they will be taking information into account as set out below.
The following factors should be taken
into account when assessing risks to a child:
An unexplained delay in seeking treatment that is obviously needed;
An unawareness or denial of any injury, pain or loss of function;
Incompatible explanations offered or several different explanations
given for a child's illness or injury;
A child reacting in a way that is inappropriate to his/her age or
development;
Reluctance to give information or failure to mention previous known
injuries;.
J. National Policies for
Creating a Safe Environment for Vulnerable People in the Catholic Church in
England and Wales
ÒBeing loved
and kept safe, go to the very heart of the ChurchÕs ministry to children &
vulnerable adultsÓ
(Safeguarding with Confidence - The Cumberlege Commission Report, 2007, www.cumberlegecommission.org.uk).
Every human being has a value and dignity
which we, as Catholics, recognise as coming directly from GodÕs creation of
male and female in his own image and likeness. Our Rosminian parishes and
centres must be a place of welcome, where each person is respected and loved,
and in which everyone receives and shares their unique gifts. Parishes
must be communities where we support and protect each other. We must take
particular care of those who may be vulnerable because of age, illness or
disability or who may be vulnerable because of current or past life experiences.
Everyone in the Church has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of those who worship in our Church or who join us for any activity facilitated by Church members.
The Purpose of a Safe Environment
When Church activities are organised
well, with regard for the safety and wellbeing of all, we reduce the risk of
avoidable harm to all participants and create spaces of true welcome in which
relationships which are respectful and enriching can develop.
The procedures are intended for use by Safeguarding Offices, Safeguarding Representatives and those responsible for organising Church activities which involve vulnerable people of all ages.
K. Safer Recruitment and Selection
All National Safeguarding Policies and
Procedures apply equally to all employees, office holders (Clergy and
religious) and Volunteers working with children, young people and adults in the
Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Recruitment and selection policies and procedures are detailed in the Safer Recruitment Practice including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Services) Disclosures Policy and Procedures Document.
L. Practical Steps When
Appointing Employees and Volunteers Ð Role description
All staff and Volunteers working with
children, young people and adults will be selected in accordance with the
Disclosure & Barring Services Policies and Procedures and in line with the
Guidelines on Equality and Diversity (CBCEW, 2004).
Every employee or volunteer who works
with children, young people or adults will have a role description.
As a minimum a role description should
include:
A detailed description of the work;
A list of responsibilities, including the
responsibility to become familiar with the National Safeguarding Policies and
Procedures;
The duty to promote safe practice, minimise all risks of abuse and
maximise the response to reports of concern;
It will include clear and detailed
content that reflects the specific nature of the role or the specific aspect of
the role that justifies the requirement for a DBS Disclosure.
Employees and volunteers should sign a
document to indicate that they have received and understood the job/role
description and agree to adhere to the National Safeguarding policies and
procedures. This should be retained by the Safeguarding Representative.
M. Principles for Good Relationships
Children and adults should always be treated with respect and consideration. Those working in ministry with the young and the vulnerable should portray at all times a positive role model by maintaining an attitude of respect, loyalty, courtesy, tact and maturity.
N. Physical Contact -
Respectful Touch
Appropriate affection between adults and
between adults and children is important for development, in the case of
children, as well as being a positive part of ministry.
Touch should always be related to the
recipient in terms of:
Their needs at the time and of limited duration;
Appropriateness given age, stage of development, gender, disability
and culture.
Everything should be in public. A
hug or a touch in a group or openly, visible to others is very different from
that done behind closed doors or in an unobservable place;
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O. What is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.
Anti-Bullying Objectives of this Policy
Bullying will not be tolerated;
All adults involved in the activities as
well as children and young people should have an understanding of what bullying
is;
All adults involved in the activities
must know this policy on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported;
All children/young people and parents
should know what the policy means.
reported.
Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to
be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with
respect. Children and young people need to learn different ways of
behaving.
We have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Help Organisations
Advisory Centre
for Education (ACE)
0808 800 5793
Children's
Legal Centre
0800 783 2187 (Young People's freephone)
0845 120 2948 (Child law advice line)
Parentline Plus
08088 002222
Youth Access
020 8772 9900
P.
Principles of Best Practice
As a Parish volunteer, or
member of the Clergy, you must:
Operate within the Church's principles
and guidance and any particular procedures of the Diocese.
Treat all children, young people and
adults equally and with respect;
Engage and interact appropriately with
children, young people and adults;
Respect a child, young person's or
adult's at risk right to personal privacy;
Challenge unacceptable behaviour and
provide an example of good conduct you wish others to follow - an environment
which allows bullying, inappropriate shouting or any form of discrimination is
unacceptable;
Recognise that particular care is
required in moments when you are discussing sensitive issues with children,
young people and adults e.g. maintain appropriate boundaries;
Avoid situations that compromise your
relationship with children, young people and adults, and are unacceptable
within a relationship of trust. This rule should apply to all such
behaviours including those which would not constitute an illegal act.
Q. Parish or Centre
Activities
Principle
To ensure that all those who use the
parish premises are doing so in a safe environment.
The nature of church premises and those
who work in them should give a sense of safety and security; for this reason
even when church premises are being used by individuals or groups not normally
associated with them, church authorities have a responsibility to take all
reasonable steps to ensure a safe and secure environment.
These activities or events may include:
Preparation for the Sacraments, ChildrenÕs Liturgy, Youth Groups, Prayer
Meetings, Fundraising Events, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and all services.
Consult the www.churchsafety.org.uk website to assist in Risk Assessment of your church premises and procedures.
Purpose, Policy and Procedure
It is essential to work through the
following checklist for all activities involving children, young people and adults
on church premises:
Who is the named person who has overall responsibility for the
activity and for completing this checklist?
Has appropriate approval been obtained from the Parish Priest or his
representative?
Who is responsible for undertaking an appropriate risk assessment? See
Risk Assessment, paragraph X.;
Are existing insurance arrangements adequate for the activities?
Have leaders been recruited and trained in accordance with National
Policy?
Have leaders and helpers been DBS checked and are they properly
prepared for the activity?
Is there a registration procedure for those who will be present at the
event? See Registration (below)
If children are taking part, do those with parental responsibility
understand the procedures for Òdropping offÓ and ÒcollectingÓ children?
Is a consent form required for the activity?
Is the activity being held in a public place?
Are appropriate measures in place if children, young people or adults
are to have access to computers as part of the activity?
Are the appropriate safeguards in place if photographs are to be taken
and consent forms signed?
Is the event to include the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
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R. Registration
A register of those present at each
activity should be taken and kept. For example:
1) when children are entering the space
provided for ChildrenÕs Liturgy during Sunday Mass, they can simply
self-register as many children are accustomed to doing at school. The
adults present should do the same.This should be proportionate. So, it is
important to keep a register for ChildrenÕs Liturgy, but it would be
impractical to do so for a Christmas Fair.
2) Sacramental Preparation groups, such
as for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
The register for each event should
include:
Date of the activity;
Details of the activity;
Adults Present;
Children/Young People Present.
(Please see Appendix 2.)
S. Supply Priest Policy
Where clergy or religious are visiting in a supply capacity, the Supply Priest Policy where appropriate, which includes a Testimonial of Suitability must be followed. Further advice is available from the Safeguarding Office.
T. Sacrament of
Reconciliation
All children, young people and adults
must be enabled to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a way which is
both in accordance with the nature of Sacramental Confession and respects their
right to enjoy the highest level of care, protection, love, encouragement and
respect.
Celebration of
the Sacrament of Reconciliation
It will be celebrated in a way that is both in accordance with the nature of Sacramental Confession and offers protection to both themselves and the confessor. It must afford both protection and privacy. Often the local Catholic school will advise on the best procedure.
U. General Guidelines
for Prayer Ministry and Healing Ministry
Treat all with respect and care;
Be wise and prudent in all decisions and
choices;
All involved should subject to safer
recruitment checks by the Parish.
Avoid being drawn into attention seeking
practices;
All physical contact should be age
appropriate;
All touch should be appropriate to the
personÕs need;
Minimum of two persons taking into
account gender balance;
Work in public view, never alone;
Do not pray with under aged children alone, pray along with family members- always within view of others.
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Please see the CSAS website, section 4 for guidelines. (www.csasprocedures.uk.net)
W. Visitors to Parish
Centre, Hall or Grounds
Where a non-parish group uses Rosminian
church premises on a regular basis:
The Safeguarding Representative must
ensure that the group has a Safeguarding Policy in place, including proper
recruitment procedures for their leaders and helpers and that references and
DBS checks have been obtained;
Evidence of this must be provided and
continued use of the premises is subject to this condition.
A written agreement is offered for using
with non-parish groups using church premises (e.g. Keep Fit, Dance Groups,
Martial Arts) detailing that: They
have safeguarding measures in place;.
Their agreement to adhere to these
measures is a condition of their use of the church premises.
See Appendix 3. for the Form supplied for use by these groups.
Adults/parents
organising the event will exercise a supervisory function and are responsible
for safeguarding the children/young people who attend.
X. Risk Assessment
Whilst it is not possible to reduce all
risks when working with the young or vulnerable it is possible to do all we can
to minimise the risks;
A risk assessment is a written record of
the thought processes that have been invested in the planning and preparation
of any activity, whatever the perceived risks may be;
Risk assessments should be completed well
before the event/activity and should be approved by the event leader. If in
doubt, advice should be sought from the Safeguarding Office.
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Y. Information
Technology
The internet, mobile phones, social
networking and other interactive services have transformed the way in which we
live. The new technologies offer tremendous opportunities to reach,
communicate, evangelise and engage with those involved in the Catholic Church
including clergy, parishioners and those in our communities who may have an
interest in the church.
The Catholic Church in England and Wales
is keen to promote the safe, and responsible, use of communication and
interactive communication technologies within all church activities.
These guidelines seek to ensure the message of safe and responsible use of communication and interactive technologies is understood and guidelines are followed within the Catholic Church.
Photography
As an aspect both of celebration of
faith, of personal achievement and evangelisation it has long been common
practice to take and display photographs of children and young people on
noticeboards, websites and in Diocesan newsletters and newspapers.
It is important to consider potential
risks such as:
The inappropriate use, adaptation or
copying of images for use on child abuse website on the internet;
The identification of children when a
photograph is accompanied by significant personal information that will assist
a third party in identifying the child. This can lead, and has led, to
children being Ôgroomed.Õ
In addition under the Data Protection Act
1998 photographs constitute Ôpersonal dataÕ and where it is possible to infer a
personÕs religious beliefs from that photograph, constitute Ôsensitive personal
date.Õ
In view of that, the following guidelines
should be followed.
DO
Ensure you have parental consent to use photographic images of a child
or young person if it is to be used in the public domain e.g. parish
noticeboard, websites, newsletters or papers.
Where possible focus on the activity
rather than the individual.
Ensure that all featured in photographs
are appropriately dressed.
Be general in labelling photographs e.g.
Communion Group 2015 rather than naming or tagging each child. A list of
names may always be provided separately.
DONÕT
Publish
or display photographs with the full name of a person featured unless you have
written consent to do so and have informed parents as to how the image will be
used;
Use an image for something other than which you have obtained permission e.g. publish in a Diocesan or local newspaper when initially intended for parish noticeboard.
Z. Using Texts and
Emails with Children & Young People
It is strongly
recommended that texting should not be considered as a method of communication
between adults involved in Church ministry and children or young people.
If texts and emails are to be used in
specific circumstances then:
DO
Get signed consent from parents to allow
use of these methods of communication.
Explain to parents the purpose and method
of this, who may communicate with their son or daughter and what that
communication is restricted to.
Only use group texts or emails and always
copy parents in.
Ensure that all such communications are
strictly about specific aspects of Church related activity, such as change of
date, time or venue.
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Access to Computers - Children and Young People
Where children and young people have
access to computers as part of Church activities, the event leader has a duty
to ensure that:
Measures are in place to ensure that the
likelihood of children and young people accessing inappropriate materials is
reduced e.g. parental controls and software to filter out internet material;
Children and young people are aware that
their personal details e.g. last name, address, school, passwords, e-mail
address and telephone numbers are private and should not be disclosed unless
approval is given by the event leader.
Children and young people know that they
should never send photographs and should be wary of chat rooms;
Useful Links
and Resources
The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) is a voluntary organisation chaired by Ministers from the Department for Education and the Home Office. UKCCIS brings together over 180 organisations and individuals from government, industry, law enforcement, academia, charities and parenting groups. Some of the organisations UKCCIS works with include: Cisco, Apple, Sony, Research in Motion, the four largest internet service providers, Facebook and Microsoft.
AA. Whistleblowing
Policy
|
|
The Dioceses and Religious Congregations of the Catholic Church in England and Wales are committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity and accountability. In line with that commitment we encourage employees, office holders, Volunteers and others who have serious concerns about any aspect of the Church's safeguarding work to come forward and voice those concerns. It is recognised that most cases will have to proceed on a confidential basis.
People who work within the Catholic
Church in England and Wales, employees, office holders or Volunteers, are often
the first to realise that there may be something seriously wrong within the
Church. They may not, however, express their concerns because they feel that
speaking up would be disloyal to their colleagues or to the Church. They may
also fear harassment or victimisation. In these circumstances it may be easier
to ignore the concern rather than report what may just be a suspicion of
malpractice.
This Confidential Reporting
("Whistle blowing") Policy is intended to encourage and enable anyone
with a serious concern, to raise that concern. This policy document makes it
clear that they can do so without fear of victimisation, subsequent
discrimination or disadvantage.
This policy aims to:
Encourage you to feel confident in
raising serious concerns and to question and act upon concerns about practice;
Provide avenues for you to raise those
concerns and receive feedback on any action taken;
Reassure you that you will be protected from possible reprisals or victimisation if you have a reasonable belief that you have made any disclosure in good faith.
How to Raise a Concern
As a first step, you should normally
raise concerns with your local Parish or Centre Safeguarding Representative or
your Safeguarding Coordinator from your Diocese. Their contact
details are on the church noticeboard.
If you are not sure who to contact,due to
the seriousness or sensitivity of the issue, or the identity of the individual
who is suspected of malpractice, you should seek advice from CSAS.
Concerns may be raised verbally or in
writing. They are better raised in writing, setting out the background and
history of the concern, giving names, dates, places, the reason you are
particularly concerned about the situation and any other supportive evidence
you might have;
The earlier you express the concern the easier it is to take action.
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BB. In the event of Allegations
Role of the Support Person
The Province Leadership Team along with the
Rosminian Safeguarding Coordinator selects Support People to be available to
those who make an allegation or disclose abuse under these procedures. The person (who can be a child or
adult) making the allegation will be offered a choice between a male, or a female
Support Person.
The role of the Support Person is to assist,
where appropriate, with communication between the person making an
allegation/disclosure and the Safeguarding Coordinator, with a view to that
person gaining access to help and information, and his/her concerns being
represented during the enquiry process.
The Support Person needs to be clear about his/her role and should
receive appropriate training.
The Support Person is not a counsellor to the child or adult, and must not be or act as a therapist.
Support People must be particularly attentive
to the expressed needs and objectives of the child or adult, and the fact that
some may be reluctant to seek help.
Support People should, therefore, consider how the therapeutic or
spiritual needs of a child or adult who has made an allegation or disclosed
abuse may be met, and will be mindful of the complainantÕs ongoing
vulnerability during this process.
In addition the Support Person should:
Consider any wishes of the complainant in regard to a pastoral response by the
Church to his/her family
á
Be available to the complainant throughout the course of the enquiry
process, and thereafter as required
á
Ensure the complainant is kept informed of relevant developments
á
Represent the wishes and therapeutic needs of the complainant to the
Safeguarding Coordinator, as required
á
Arrange, if considered helpful, a meeting between the complainant and
the Provincial or other Church authority.
Under no circumstances should the same Support Person be provided for both the complainant and the respondent.
Role of the Advisor
The Province Leadership shall make available
an Advisor to be available to the respondent.
Advisors shall represent the needs of the respondent to the Leadership
team and assist, where appropriate, with the care of the respondent and with
communication between the respondent, the Safeguarding Coordinator, the
Leadership Team and the respondentÕs community and his/her place of work. The respondentÕs advisor shall not be
the respondentÕs therapist or spiritual director.
Advisors should be particularly alert to the sense of isolation and
vulnerability which a respondent may experience following an allegation of this
nature.
He or she will:
á Accompany, if so
requested, and be available to the respondent after the latterÕs meeting with the Leadership Team and the
Safeguarding Coordinator
á Inform the respondent
of his/her right to obtain advice from both civil and Canon Law
á Identify any therapeutic or other needs of the respondent and suggest
how these may be met
á Consider the wishes of
the respondent in regard to a pastoral response by the Leadership Team to
his/her family
á Be available to the
respondent throughout the enquiry process and thereafter as required
á Ensure the respondent
is kept informed of developments in regard to the enquiry
á Represent the needs
and wishes of the respondent to the Safeguarding Coordinator, as required.
Advisors should receive appropriate training.
Under no circumstances should the person acting as Advisor to the respondent be the same person as the person assuming the role of Support Person to the complainant.
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CC. Appendices
1.
Form for all Parish Volunteers
New CSAS
Procedures
Form Ref: CaSE 1
WRITTEN AGREEMENT FOR
VOLUNTEERS
Name of Volunteer:
__________________________________________________________
We welcome you at the Parish:
__________________________________________________________
Name of Group:
_________________________________________________________
Meeting Details:
_________________________________________________________
Age Ranges:
_________________________________________________________
We put a very high value on all
our work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. We want to make
sure that you know the resources and support available to you. We intend that
you should not work unsupported or unsupervised.
The person designated to give
you support is: ________________________________________________________
The particular responsibilities
of your job have been given to you in a job description and discussed with you
in detail. Any further questions that arise from time to time can be discussed
with:
________________________________________________________
We want to help you give the
best possible service to your group, so we will meet with you to talk about
your work with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Training needs will
also be discussed with you and opportunities to develop your skills made
available to you.
Signed:
__________________________Date: _____________________
(Parish Priest/Designated
Person)
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE
APPLICANT
I have read the ChurchÕs
policies for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. I
understand that it is my duty to safeguard the children, young people and
vulnerable adults with whom I have contact. I know what action to take in cases
of suspected or alleged abuse and agree to adhere to the Code of Conduct.
Signed
______________________________Date ___________
NB - Two copies of this form
should be made. One copy should be given to the individual and the other
retained by the person responsible for the appointment.
To be retained for 6 years
(see www.csas.uk.net/procedures)