Our Parishes rely entirely on people who volunteer their time, energy, skills and talents at the service of the Church. Volunteering enables the laity to recognise and use their gifts for the benefit of their parish community, to develop and nurture a sense of welcome to all and to foster a spirit of trust and openness that reflect the values of our ministry.
Safe Recruitment of volunteers
The Catholic Church is committed to doing everything possible to ensure children, young people and vulnerable adults are kept safe from harm. A critical responsibility is to ensure that anyone who is applying to work or minister within the Church, whether paid or otherwise, in a role which gives them direct access to children or vulnerable adults, is selected with the utmost care.
The Church is legally required to operate safe recruitment procedures and as such, for some roles, undertakes DBS checks to fulfil its obligations. This may include a barred list check depending on the nature of the role and whether it involves working unsupervised with a vulnerable group/workforce.
Typical roles that require a DBS check can be found here.
There are four stages of the safe recruitment process
Training for volunteers
The Church has a responsibility to ensure all those who undertake ministry with others are adequately trained in safeguarding matters.
The Church has worked with Educare to provide an e-learning package to help raise awareness of safeguarding within our communities. The e-learning package is available free of charge and consists of six different training modules. As part of the Church’s commitment to safeguarding, all our volunteers will be asked to complete the module(s) relevant to their role upon their appointment. The parish safeguarding rep will advise you what module(s) should be completed. Details of the modules and how to register can be found here: E-Learning flyer.
Diocesan policies applicable to volunteers – all volunteers are expected to comply with the following Diocesan policies:
More information on the national policies and procedures can be found via CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Services) www.csas.uk.net.
Useful contacts:
Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator – Marie O’Donnelly
0114 2566454 / 07909 117964 [email protected]
Diocesan Safeguarding Administrator – Jo Pearson
0114 2566453
[email protected]
We all have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of everyone, whether they worship in our Church or join us for activities. Everyone should be treated with respect and consideration and particularly by taking care of those who may be vulnerable.
Interviewer Guidance
“All applicants for paid or voluntary work with children, young people and vulnerable adults must be interviewed before being appointed, The interview might be conducted by the Parish Priest, group leader and Local Safeguarding Rep. As to the degree of formality, the interviewers should bear in mind the nature of the post/role, level of responsibility it carries, and the maturity and experience of the applicant.” (Parish Pack p.32 and 33)
Interview-Guidance Document.
Guide for applicants
A Simple “Safe Recruitment” Guide for Applicants
You may get into volunteering because your priest asks you, you see an advertisement in your Parish or organisation newsletter, on the website or you hear an announcement at mass. If your priest asks you to be involved in a project, it is good practice to remind him that there is a process to follow and that you may need a DBS check.
For a document about the roles requiring a DBS, click here.
Training
We hope that you will sign up to some of the training sessions which are available. If you feel that the group you have joined needs some bespoke updated information or greater safeguarding awareness, please ask the safeguarding office (see training page).
Please note that by September 2014, all volunteers and paid workers should have access to an e-learning safeguarding training package designed with the Catholic Church context in mind.
Many of our parishes have a volunteer safeguarding rep who are appointed following a formal interview and recruitment process. The reps will have a good level of safeguarding knowledge and expertise obtained through a professional role and will have completed an induction and training before commencing their role in the parish.
Parish Safeguarding Reps are the link between parish and the diocesan safeguarding office. They have specific responsibility for promoting good and
safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and vulnerable adults within the parish or congregation. This includes facilitating the DBS
disclosure procedure and ensuring that everyone who is required to go through the process does so.
Parish Safeguarding Reps have a sound knowledge of the national policies and procedures and who to contact in the event of a safeguarding issue or concern.
They also promote Diocesan training and events by displaying information on parish noticeboards, newsletters and parish websites.
Parish Safeguarding Reps are a valuable source of support for all our volunteers.
The contact details for your rep will be displayed in the parish. If your parish does not have a safeguarding rep then the office can signpost you to a
neighbouring rep who can help.
If you are interested in becoming a safeguarding rep for your parish then please contact the safeguarding office (0114 2566453) for information on the
recruitment process.
Volunteering News & Vacancies
Domestic Abuse Awareness and ‘Ask for Ani’
This week, the Government are launching their ‘codeword’ scheme to make it easier for people to ask for help at the pharmacy or supermarket. ‘Ask for Ani’ encourages people to say the codeword so that they can be taken to a private consultation room or safe place so that they…
Domestic Abuse Services are still Operating during Lockdown
Sheffield and Barnsley https://www.idas.org.uk/resources/handbooks-leaflets-posters/ Rotherham https://rotherhamrise.org.uk/ Doncaster https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/crime-anti-social-behaviour-nuisance/support-for-victims Chesterfield https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/living-here/people-and-families/domestic-abuse.aspx Worksop https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/domesticabuse/help
Parish Reps Vacancies
Please note that we have vacancies for a Parish Safeguarding Representative in the following Parishes. If you are interested in applying for this role, please read the attached document and make your interest known to your Parish Priest and contact the Safeguarding Office on 01142566453 or 0142566454 and speak to…