Our annual Safeguarding Statement is published around the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels which this year falls on the 2nd of October.

In echoing this spirit of guardianship, we would like to remind you of our obligation to ensure that our parish communities are safe and welcoming places, where children and vulnerable adults are protected.

Safeguarding concerns every one of us: our clergy, faith communities and lay people who all strive to embed our safeguarding practices into our Church. These procedures are designed to help us all create and maintain 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 where appropriate. 

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

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

Whilst statutory procedures such as PVG checks are an essential and mandatory part of our protocols, adopting a culture of care is equally important – being vigilant, looking out for each other, and passing on any concerns.

Archbishop Nolan wishes to express his sincere thanks to our clergy, parish safeguarding coordinator(s), group leaders, and volunteers; as we work together to ensure that our people, places and activities are safe.

Full details of safeguarding staff for the Archdiocese can be found on the safeguarding page at rcag.org.uk which is the Archdiocesan website; and there is a poster at the back of this church with both the Parish Safeguarding Coordinator’s and the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser’s details on it.

Please do not hesitate to make contact if you have any concerns about a safeguarding matter, no matter how small.   

Thank you.