Our Lady’s  Safeguarding Office email:
addiscombedbs@safeguardrcaos.org.uk

All members of the Parish community, especially children and young people, are entitled to take a full part in the activities of the parish. It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that while they do so they are treated with care and respect and they are kept safe from every kind of abuse and harm.

We have a very large number of children and young people taking part in a variety of uniformed organisations and catechetical programmes in the parish. 

We also have a large number of older people who receive SVP visits and/or Holy Communion in their own homes or sheltered housing. 

• Archdiocese of Southwark – Safeguarding Policy

The Catholic Church takes very seriously this responsibly through the

Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency

The Southwark Arch-Diocese Safeguarding Team

Reporting A Concern

The parish has a Parish Safeguarding Committee.  It is the responsibility of these to implement good practice and policy and to ensure that:

• Procedures are in place to ascertain the suitability of those who volunteer to offer themselves for any ministry in the church involving children, young people or vulnerable adults.

• Adequate training in matters relating to the procedures, protection, vulnerability and safety are made available.

• Guidelines on what to do in cases where allegations or disclosures of vulnerability or abuse have been made.

• Information is provided for children, young people and vulnerable adults of who can be contacted if there are concerns.

All members of the parish are expected to provide an atmosphere in which children, young people and vulnerable adults feel welcomed, affirmed and safe.  They must also be aware of and accept the responsibility we all share for the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable older people.

If you are concerned and need to speak to someone, please contact the safeguarding office using the email address shown above, or speak to one of the priests. Posters outlining our safeguarding guidelines and helpful telephone numbers are displayed in all of our church buildings.  Copies of policies and guidelines are available from the Parish Office.

Resources

For up-to-date information and resources to help keep children safe, visit the NSPCC Information Service, which provides quick and easy access to the latest child protection research, policy and practice.

Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church of England and Wales or the Church in Wales.

Find out more.