Safe Environment Policy

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased. As per the code of conduct, if you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the Safeguarding Team in your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the police. If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and to the Eparchial Safeguarding office on 07724353992, 07542534221 or safeguarding@csmegb.org.

All Church activity should provide a safe environment which promotes and supports the wellbeing of everyone and protects them from harm. The Catholic Church in England and Wales has committed to a common set of National safeguarding standards to help protect children and adults who may be vulnerable or at risk. Each Diocese has a Safeguarding Team and a Trustee Sub Committee, which has oversight of that work. Each mission has a Safeguarding Representative(s). Your mission Safeguarding Representative(s) They provide the link between the parish and the safeguarding team, promote safe practice in all activities involving children and adults and advice on safeguarding matters in the parish.

The Eparchy is committed to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past or whether the accused person is living or deceased. The safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and the Eparchy is looking specifically on how to reach out to victims, to promote all aspects of safeguarding in the Eparchy so that the children and people with care and support needs are safe from all sorts of abuses.

The Eparchy safeguarding team always provide support and advice to victims and survivors when needed. However, we are unable to offer an emergency or 24 hours service. If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and eparchial safeguarding team. If you are a survivor and do not wish to share the details with statutory authorities, then a referral can be made anonymously providing the name of the accused person. The Eparchy do this to protect the children and adults with care and support needs. Even if you were abused long time ago, your abuser might still be working with children and adults and Eparchy wants to make sure they are not at risk.If you have an immediate concern that a child or adult with care and support needs is in danger ,please contact police on 999.You can also contact them via non-emergency number 101,24 hours a day ,7 days a week. You can also contact local authority social services as well.

If there is no immediate danger, please contact Eparchial safeguarding office directly or speak with your local safeguarding representatives (LSRs). If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, please refer all allegations directly to the Eparchial safeguarding office or LSRs or directly to Police. Any referrals made directly to the police must also be sent to the Eparchial safeguarding team.

The Eparchy safeguarding team is available Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5 pm and can be contacted via on 07724353992,07542534221 or safeguarding@csmegb.org or safeguardingcordinator@csmegb.org.Full contact details can be found on the Eparchial safeguarding contact page. The Catholic Safeguarding Standard Agency can be contacted on 02079011920 or admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.

The Eparchy provide safeguarding messages to its members through Eparchial safeguarding website and through other formats i.e., Denha Online Newsletter, communications from the Bishop’s Office, communications from the Safeguarding Office, social medias including face book and WhatsApp, Physical posters, priests hand book, Volunteers' handbook, Emails, and periodical meetings. The Eparchy always link with other Dioceses since our members are scattered across England, Wales, and Scotland. The church leaders especially Bishop and Proto syncellus engage with volunteers, parents and children and young people. The Eparchy is committed and is taking action to promote the welfare of children ,young people and people with care and support needs .,work to prevent abuse from occurring ,seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused .This culture is being achieved by ensuring a holistic, young people centred approach,co.working with young people, listening and understanding their needs ,by having a skilled ,confident work force and leadership and senior staff and trustees adopting a whole organisation approach. Everyone who works in Eparchial, regional, and local level has made a commitment to survivors of abuse who will make sure people are heard and the children and people with care and support needs are kept safe from abuses. 

 • The Eparchy Safeguarding Team is available on:07542534221 or by email on:safeguardingcordinator@csmegb.org.

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