Child Protection

THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

CONTACT DETAILS

Diocesan Adviser for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Diocesan Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Team

• Mrs Marjory Booth
• Mr Tom Cairns (Chair)
• Mr Stephen Dunphy
• Deacon Brian Kilkerr
• Canon Andrew Mann
• Mr Tony Milnes
• Bishop Peter A. Moran
• Mrs Helen Munro
• Mrs Sally Reid
• Fr Colin Stewart

National Co-ordinator for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Mrs Jackie McCaig

National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

POLICY STATEMENT

The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness and well-being of each individual person within God’s purpose for everyone.

It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in whatever capacity with the Church and its organisations.

As a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members, to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

PROMOTING THE POLICY STATEMENT

The Policy Statement must be brought to the attention of all existing and new workers with children, young people and vulnerable adults, and they should be informed of any guidance or compulsory training available to help them to implement the Policy Statement.

The Policy Statement should be clearly displayed in Parishes, Activities and Organisations. Doing so will give a clear message to the local community that the Church in Scotland cares deeply about all people.

Contact details of individuals with specific responsibility for safeguarding, e.g. Parish Co-ordinator, National Co-ordinator, will also be on the visible statement of care.

NATIONAL POLICIES

The National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NOPCVA) has produced a new manual Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities in collaboration with key personnel across the Dioceses, to inform and support those individuals who have been tasked with the responsibility to minimise the risk of abuse; respond appropriately when children, young people or a vulnerable adult have been harmed or may be at risk of being harmed; and promote their welfare and well-being.

These policies and procedures are evidence of the enduring commitment of the Bishops in Scotland to develop and maintain high quality safeguarding practice for all those who are involved in the life of the Church. The importance of support, guidance, procedures and training and development opportunities for people working with children and those who are vulnerable is recognised and this document should be used to provide a comprehensive and unified approach to the safeguarding programme.

THE ROLE OF THE DIOCESAN ADVISER

The purpose of the Adviser is to assist the Bishop with private and confidential advice and information in relation to case-specific circumstances.

The Adviser has a central role in providing support and may also chair the Diocesan Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Team meetings (and any subgroups thereof) in implementing policies in order to:

• help develop effective protection policies and practice;
• support the Diocesan Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Team in informing and advising the Bishop on good practice in managing all matters relating to allegations of abuse.

THE ROLE OF THE DIOCESAN CHILD PROTECTION AND VULNERABLE ADULT TEAM

The purpose of this team is to ensure that each Bishop has available to him the necessary advice, support and expertise in relation to child protection and vulnerable adult issues.

The core membership of the group should include among its membership relevant experts, diocesan and parish representatives, and representatives from appropriate agencies, e.g. child/adult care, law, youth office, police, health, education.

The group meets quarterly.

THE ROLE OF THE PARISH PRIEST

Every Parish Priest has a duty to be fully conversant with the Policies approved by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Together with the Parish Co-ordinator, the Parish Priest will have responsibility for ensuring good standards of practice.

THE PARISH CO-ORDINATOR

All Parishes are required to have a Parish Co-ordinator who has been appointed in accordance with the Church’s selection and recruitment process.

The main purpose of the post is to support the Parish Priest to ensure that all policies approved by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland are effectively and appropriately implemented in the Parish.

RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS

To demonstrate that the work of volunteers with children is valued highly, the Catholic Church operates a robust selection and recruitment procedure, which includes receiving information from two independent referees and a ‘Disclosure Check’.

In working with children and Vulnerable Adults every Parish Priest and Parish Co-ordinator must follow national policies and procedures laid down in the document Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A CHILD, YOUNG PERSON OR VULNERABLE ADULT

If you see behaviour that is of concern, or if an individual tells you something, you need to take them seriously, and speak to someone (the person to whom you are responsible or the Diocesan Adviser).

In an emergency situation, where you have immediate concerns for the safety of an individual you must contact the Police/Social Work Services/Medical Services direct.