Welcome to the Safeguarding Department
Safeguarding is the protection of children and vulnerable adults, who are suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm, ill treatment, the impairment of health or development, abuse or neglect. It involves proactively creating cultures of safeguarding to prevent abuse occurring in the first place and reacting to those who have been hurt by abuse to reduce any future harm.
Mission Statement
The Catholic Church of England and Wales, the Bishops and Congregational Leaders are committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church. We affirm the One Church approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable through the promotion of a sustained and sustainable culture of constant vigilance. The Church recognises the personal dignity and rights of all Vulnerable People towards whom it has a special responsibility. The Church and individual members of it undertake to take all the appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable, and to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm. The Church authorities will liaise closely with statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are promptly and properly investigated and where appropriate, survivors supported and perpetrators held to account. The Church wishes to ensure that its parishes and Religious Congregations have the confidence to enable children, young people and vulnerable adults to have peace of mind, knowing they will be cared for and loved by their Christian community.
The wider concept of safeguarding is “nurturing wellbeing as well as protecting the young and the vulnerable from harm and abuse.”
Safeguarding…
• is essential to the Church’s fulfillment of its calling and mission given by Christ
• is implicit in what Jesus intended when he said ’feed my lambs, feed my sheep’
• is essential if we are to introduce people effectively to a relationship with God
• is a sign of the Kingdom – Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Safeguarding is an exercise of charity and justice:
• helps the Church to stay one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic
• reflects the loving nature of God
• is an essential context for people to receive the sacraments and grow in discipleship
• is part of becoming a Church that people will want to join!”
Canon Kieron O’Brien – CSAS ‘SAFEGUARDING AS MINISTRY’ event, Oscott, April 2011
Hallam Diocese recognises that safeguarding needs to be at the heart of our activities in order to provide a welcoming, safe and supportive environment for all. We wish for people to be able practice their faith and take part in the many activities the church has to offer with confidence, so that they may spiritually flourish. As part of a caring Christian community, the welfare and protection of our children, young people and adults should be everyone’s responsibility. We wish to actively promote safeguarding, creating a culture which places a strong emphasis on the protection of people from all forms of harm or abuse regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
• Using our procedures to respond to and manage any allegations appropriately.
• Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and where appropriate involving children, young people, parents, families and carers.
• Safely recruiting staff and volunteers, ensuring all necessary checks are made. When required staff should be interviewed, references taken up and when necessary a DBS check completed.
• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
• Promote Safeguarding awareness through training and events.
• Implementing a Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers.
• Creating safe and supportive environments, including adequate supervision of activities and by following health and safety guidelines/procedures.
• Following procedures and policy for safe use of technology
• Recording and storing information professionally and securely.
• Providing pastoral care to those who have experienced abuse.
The Diocese utilises the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) policies and procedures, and national law, as fundamental frameworks for Safeguarding. This is in line with the Catholic Church’s strategy of ensuring a “one church approach”, promoting uniformity of procedure across all Diocese in the United Kingdom. This policy statement should be read alongside CSAS policies and procedures which can be found on https://www.csas.uk.net/.
The following links are to policies/procedures that are frequently used/referred to. This list is not exhaustive and further policies can be found on the CSAS website.
Safe recruitment
https://www.csas.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Policy-and-procedure-for-Safer-Recruitment..pdf
Management of allegations (child)
https://www.csas.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Children-Management-of-concerns-and-allegations.pdf
Management of allegations (adult)
https://www.csas.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Adult-management-of-allegations-and-concerns.pdf
Creating a safe environment
https://www.csas.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Creating-a-Safer-Environment-1.docx
Safer use of technology, including photography
https://www.csas.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Guidance-Safer-use-of-technology.pdf
The Diocese has a dedicated Safeguarding Co-ordinator to act as a designated point of contact for Safeguarding matters/concerns. The Safeguarding Coordinator is responsible for ensuring safeguarding concerns are dealt with appropriately, offering guidance and support on safeguarding matters, developing safeguarding practice and policy, collaborating with/or signposting to partner agencies.
The Diocese is committed to appointing at least one voluntary Safeguarding Representative for each Parish to assist in promoting and raising awareness of Safeguarding Policy and Procedure at a local level.
The Safeguarding Commission is responsible for leading strategic direction of safeguarding policy and practice within the Diocese. The Commission is headed by an independent Lay Chair with relevant professional experience. Commission membership also includes representatives from partnership agencies, clergy/religious advisers and safeguarding representatives.
Safeguarding within Catholic Schools remains the responsibility of the school and the appointed safeguarding lead. The Hallam Safeguarding Coordinator will be informed of any safeguarding concern in a school on a need to know basis where there is need for joint working to ensure good safeguarding practice.
When a Safeguarding allegation or concern is raised- such as an allegation of harm of a child or adult at risk by a member of clergy / religious / church personnel/ volunteer, contact the Safeguarding Coordinator within 24 hours or as soon as reasonably practicable. The Safeguarding Coordinator can be contacted out of hours on mobile 07909117964. If the Safeguarding Coordinator is unavailable, leave a message. Pass on any notes and/or a Form-CM1 to the Safeguarding Coordinator within 24 hours.
For urgent matters where there is a risk of immediate or serious harm, contact the police and/or local social services. In the event of an emergency call 999, for less urgent contact with the police call 101. A follow up report should be made to the Safeguarding Coordinator within 24 hours. The form (CM1) can be used for this purpose.
The suspected perpetrator of abuse should not be contacted without the advice of the Safeguarding Coordinator/Police/Social care.
Allegations of past abuse against children/adults at risk should still be reported, even if it is believed that the perpetrator is deceased or no longer a threat.
Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Marie O’Donnelly
Email:modonnelly@hallam-diocese.com
Safeguarding Administrator
Jo Pearson
0114 2566453
Email: jpearson@hallam-diocese.com
Chair of Commission.
Charles Neale
cneal@hallam-diocese.com
Clergy Advisor
Fr Peter McGuire
Hallam Caring Services
Bernie Ware –Safeguarding Team Manager
0114 256 6407
Key Terms
Child refers to any person under 18 years of age
Adult at Risk- Any person over the age of 18, who is need of care and support, and who are experiencing or are at risk of neglect or abuse.
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Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator : Marie O’Donnelly
The Hallam Pastoral Centre, St Charles Street, Sheffield, S9 3WU
Office: 0114 256 6454, Work mobile: 0790 911 7964
Email: modonnelly@hallam-diocese.com
Clergy Adviser for Safeguarding : Rev Peter McGuire
28 College Road, Spinkhill, Sheffield, S21 3YB
Tel: 01246 432 289
Email: peter@pdmcguire.com
Safeguarding Administrator : Jo Pearson
The Hallam Pastoral Centre, St Charles Street, Sheffield S9 3WU
Tel: 0114 256 6453
Email: jpearson@hallam-diocese.com
Address
Hallam Pastoral Centre
St Charles Street, Sheffield S9 3WU, UK