Safeguarding

Safeguarding resources

Safeguarding Policies and References:

Safeguarding at St Bridget’s Parish

The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and St Bridget of Sweden, Isleworth, is committed to fostering a strong culture of safeguarding, where everyone is protected from harm and abuse, and where each person is encouraged and enabled to live life to the full in Jesus Christ. This commitment is expressed through the prayerful, caring, nurturing, supportive, and protective actions of the Catholic community, both individually and collectively.

This commitment is demonstrated through the provision of carefully planned activities for children, young people, and adults; through compassionate care for those who have been harmed by abuse; and through the responsible and robust management of those who have caused harm.

St Bridget’s parish fully follows and complies with the national safeguarding standards of the Catholic Church, as set out by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA).

If you have any questions about safeguarding, or if you are concerned about a child or an adult at risk, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Representative:

Andrew Lloyd

Email: Isleworthsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk

If you believe that a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, please contact the police by calling 999.

The National Safeguarding Policies and Procedures of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, which apply to all parishes within the Diocese of Westminster, can be found on the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency website:

catholicsafeguarding.org.uk

 

Culture of Safeguarding

The Catholic Church is striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all should be safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through the prayerful, caring, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic community, both individually and collectively.

This commitment calls the whole Church to live the values and principles, which are already implicit in the nature of the Church and its mission.  All members of the Church have a role to play in promoting a culture of safeguarding and together with the Bishops and Congregation Leaders we can ensure it is both understood and embraced by the whole Church.

In order to cultivate a safe and nurturing environment and deepen (or where necessary rebuild) trust there needs to be a culture of:

  • Openness and transparency
  • Love and respect
  • Responsibility and accountability
  • Compassion and support
  • Justice and integrity
  • Honesty and humility
  • Questioning and challenging
  • Learning and changing

Source: CSAS Organisational Structure and Key Roles

 

Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR)

Tina East has been appointed by the Diocese of Westminster as the Safeguarding Representative for our Church.

Responsibilities and Training:

  • The PSR must promote good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults and provide advice on child and adult safeguarding matters within their Church community.
  • The PSR helps to administer safer recruitment practices on a local level, which includes processing the Disclosure and Barring Service checks on all volunteers.
  • The PSR is the link between the congregation and the RCDOW Safeguarding Coordinator.
  • The PSR has completed the necessary training, provided by the RCDOW and has a sound knowledge of the national policies and procedures.
  • The PSR is fully supported by the RCDOW Safeguarding Team and knows who to contact if a concern is raised.

Contacts

In the case of an emergency or where there is an immediate danger or risk of harm please call 999.

For other safeguarding concerns the PSR can be contacted in the following ways:

Please note that the contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator can also be found on the parish noticeboard, where I will also display additional Safeguarding material.