Parish safeguarding representative: Tina O'Kelly sg1.walton@abdiocese.org.uk
Safeguarding the dignity of all
At St Erconwald parish, we follow the procedures laid out by the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton: ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe and know they are loved is at the very core of the Church’s ministry. The work of safeguarding must be seen within the overall mission of the Church. As she seeks to protect the vulnerable and weak, the Church needs to ‘act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God’. (Micah 6:8). The Church’s mission is one of love and healing and seeks justice for all. It is a ministry of love and healing and seeks justice for all.
We are committed to ensuring that all members of our parish community are welcomed and treated with dignity and respect.
In our parish, Tina O’Kelly, our parish safeguarding representative, is responsible for ensuring that anyone working with vulnerable people in our parish undergoes the appropriate DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks and has access to safeguarding training. If you are interested in helping out with any activity involving children, young people or vulnerable adults, do contact Tina for further information.
It is the firm expectation of the Bishop, Trustees and Safeguarding Sub-Committee of Trustees that all those working with vulnerable groups including children, young people or adults at risk, undertake diocesan Safeguarding Awareness Training. This is not dependent on their role being eligible for a DBS check. Training can be achieved by individual completion of the relevant EduCare/Tes module(s) online. The diocesan safeguarding sub-committee of trustees fully expects all those engaged in this important ministry to complete the mandatory training. Completion of this training is required if individuals wish to continue working with vulnerable groups.
Our commitment to safeguarding
The Diocese is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church. Supported by and in compliance with the policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency in England and Wales, we are striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where everyone is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life In Jesus Christ through the prayerful, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic Community, both individually and collectively.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
Urgent safeguarding concerns. If you are concerned about the immediate 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. If there is no immediate danger, then please contact the diocesan safeguarding office directly.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the police.
Any referrals made directly to the police must also be sent to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton at the same time. The Safeguarding office will also inform the parish safeguarding officer.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton safeguarding office.
The Diocese will ensure that any allegations of a safeguarding matter are responded to promptly and liaise openly with statutory authorities to support investigations, responding sensitively and compassionately to those in need, and ensuring perpetrators are held to account.
Safe Spaces - getting support
Safe Spaces is a free, national support service independently run by First Light. It provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.
Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained support advocates, who are Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and who have received additional specific training in how the Church responds to abuse cases, the way in which faith and Church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the particular issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the Church. The service provides remote support through the organisation’s helpline, live chat facility and website. Remote support is provided for as long as the survivor needs. This can include advocating for the survivor, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding individual needs and jointly working on individual support plans. If face-to-face support is also required, contact and referrals will be made with appropriate local organisations.
Contacting Safe Spaces: Safe Spaces' opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9-1pm and Sunday from 1-5pm (excluding bank holidays, subject to review). You can contact Safe Spaces in a number of ways:
By phone T: 0300 303 1056 or via their website.
Safeguarding the dignity of all
At St Erconwald parish, we follow the procedures laid out by the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton: ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe and know they are loved is at the very core of the Church’s ministry. The work of safeguarding must be seen within the overall mission of the Church. As she seeks to protect the vulnerable and weak, the Church needs to ‘act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God’. (Micah 6:8). The Church’s mission is one of love and healing and seeks justice for all. It is a ministry of love and healing and seeks justice for all.
We are committed to ensuring that all members of our parish community are welcomed and treated with dignity and respect.
In our parish, Tina O’Kelly, our parish safeguarding representative, is responsible for ensuring that anyone working with vulnerable people in our parish undergoes the appropriate DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks and has access to safeguarding training. If you are interested in helping out with any activity involving children, young people or vulnerable adults, do contact Tina for further information.
It is the firm expectation of the Bishop, Trustees and Safeguarding Sub-Committee of Trustees that all those working with vulnerable groups including children, young people or adults at risk, undertake diocesan Safeguarding Awareness Training. This is not dependent on their role being eligible for a DBS check. Training can be achieved by individual completion of the relevant EduCare/Tes module(s) online. The diocesan safeguarding sub-committee of trustees fully expects all those engaged in this important ministry to complete the mandatory training. Completion of this training is required if individuals wish to continue working with vulnerable groups.
Our commitment to safeguarding
The Diocese is committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church. Supported by and in compliance with the policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency in England and Wales, we are striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where everyone is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life In Jesus Christ through the prayerful, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic Community, both individually and collectively.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
Urgent safeguarding concerns. If you are concerned about the immediate 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. If there is no immediate danger, then please contact the diocesan safeguarding office directly.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the police.
Any referrals made directly to the police must also be sent to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton at the same time. The Safeguarding office will also inform the parish safeguarding officer.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton safeguarding office.
The Diocese will ensure that any allegations of a safeguarding matter are responded to promptly and liaise openly with statutory authorities to support investigations, responding sensitively and compassionately to those in need, and ensuring perpetrators are held to account.
Safe Spaces - getting support
Safe Spaces is a free, national support service independently run by First Light. It provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.
Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained support advocates, who are Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and who have received additional specific training in how the Church responds to abuse cases, the way in which faith and Church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the particular issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the Church. The service provides remote support through the organisation’s helpline, live chat facility and website. Remote support is provided for as long as the survivor needs. This can include advocating for the survivor, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding individual needs and jointly working on individual support plans. If face-to-face support is also required, contact and referrals will be made with appropriate local organisations.
Contacting Safe Spaces: Safe Spaces' opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9-1pm and Sunday from 1-5pm (excluding bank holidays, subject to review). You can contact Safe Spaces in a number of ways:
By phone T: 0300 303 1056 or via their website.