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Parish of Corpus Christi Brixton Hill
Statement of Safeguarding
The Church of Corpus Christi recognises the personal dignity and rights of children towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care. The Church and individual members in it, undertakes to do all in their power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. The Church authorities will liaise closely with victims supported and perpetrators held to account.
We recognise that any failure to respond to allegations of abuse undermines people’s faith and the credibility of the Church, as well as the damage that it does to everyone’s perception of this parish. These guidelines are a statement of this parish’s willingness to co-operate with all inchallenging abusive behaviour. We are committed to raising child protection issues amongst all who have a care for children, young people and vulnerable adults in our parish community.
There is no excuse for child abuse. It is a misuse of power. Anything less than an unequivocal search for the truth is immoral and unjust. Misguided loyalty or fear of public disclosure can create a conspiracy of silence.
Our parish Statement on Child protection draws upon the Southwark Diocesan Guidelines.
Why is safeguarding so important to the church?
Every human being has a value and dignity which we as Catholics acknowledge as coming directly from God’s creation of male and female in his own image and likeness. This implies a duty to value all people and therefore to support them and protect them from harm.
In the Catholic Church this is demonstrated by the provision of carefully planned activities for children, young people and adults; supporting families under stress; caring for those hurt by abuse in the past; ministering to and managing those who have caused harm.
It is because of these varied ministries that we need to provide a safe environment for all which promotes and supports their wellbeing. This will include carefully selecting and appointing those who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults and responding robustly where concerns arise.
Who is responsible for safeguarding in the Catholic Church?
Everyone has a responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable people. In England & Wales overall responsibility sits with the Bishops Conference and the Conference of Religious.
How does this work in the Diocese?
The Bishop is responsible for safeguarding issues in his Diocese. He delegates responsibility via the Trustees to the Safeguarding Commission. The Safeguarding Commission, together with Bishop, appoint a Safeguarding Co-Ordinator, and Safeguarding Officer. The Commission is accountable to the Bishop and advise him on policy implementation and best practice. The Co-Ordinator and Officer report to the Commission and are accountable to the Bishop via the Commission.
What is the Safeguarding Commission?
It is a group of independent professional people, appointed by the Bishop, to oversee the implementation of Safeguarding Policies. The membership is made up of people with specific experience and expertise in safeguarding issues and includes representatives from the Police, Safeguarding Organisations, Social Work, the Probation Service and the clergy. The Commission meets regularly to discuss policies and procedures, receive reports from the Co-Ordinator and Officer and when necessary to discuss investigations and other case work and prepare reports for the Bishop.
What does the Safeguarding Co-Ordinator & Officer do?
The Safeguarding Officer carries out the routine administration of the Safeguarding Office which includes the maintenance of Parish files, identity verification and CRB checks for all employees and volunteers within the Diocese who may have contact with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults. They keep a database for the Diocese and also maintain information on the National Database which is held by CSAS. They are also responsible for the training of Parish Representatives in the procedures that they must follow when volunteers are appointed in the Parish, in best practice in dealing with situations where children and vulnerable adults are present and in what to do if they are concerned about a particular situation or person.
They are also responsible for referring all abuse allegations to the Statutory Authority (Police) and for working closely with them on such cases to ensure the safety of the public. They report to the Diocesan Safeguarding which then makes recommendations to the Bishop.
What does a parish Safeguarding Representative do?
The P S R is responsible for: making sure the Parish is aware of the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults; promoting good practice, including what is appropriate behaviour; with their Parish Priest and the Safeguarding Co-Ordinator/Officer decide how to administer the National safeguarding Policies and Procedures within the Parish.
What should one do to become a volunteer?
There is a wide range of ‘volunteer’ roles within the Parish, including Parish Safeguarding Representative, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Catechists, Youth leaders, Playgroup leaders, Playground leaders, Drama group leaders, Music leaders, Altar Servers, Drivers etc etc
One should always speak to the Parish Safeguarding Representative and parish priest. You would have to complete a number of forms and discuss the reasons for wanting to be a volunteer. You will not be able to commence voluntary work until you have completed the application procedures and received a letter of appointment.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK A CHILD IS AT RISK OR IS BEING ABUSED?
Never discuss this with the person who you think is the abuser. It is never your role to investigate. Never confront the alleged abuser. Do not inform the subject of any accusations. The alleged abuser must be removed from any church-based activity where he/she could either continue to abuse or attempt to influence the child to withdraw his/her allegation. Such removal does not imply innocence or guilt.
If you have witnessed abuse or received an allegation of abuse where a child is in immediate danger, you must inform your Safeguarding Representative
Who will inform the Statutory Authorities (Police/Social Services).
If you think that someone is being groomed, discuss the matter with your Parish Priest/Safeguarding Representative so that action can be taken.
Grooming is a process undertaken by those seeking to perpetrate sexual abuse. This can take months, sometimes years, and will almost inevitably involve grooming of parents/carers. In its early stages, grooming may be misinterpreted as kindness or helpfulness, while latterly it tends to become increasingly coercive and manipulative.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse describes the ways in which a child’s development and health are damaged by the words and actions of others. Abuse can take the four forms:
i) The failure to protect children through neglect or exposure to danger
ii) Actual physical injury or failure to prevent physical injury
iii) Persistent and severe emotional ill-treatment including severe rejection
iv) Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation
Procedures
Our main aim is to create a safe, encouraging and loving environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults. Parish priest has named two Safeguarding Representatives in the Parish of Corpus Christi. The Co-Ordinator is Mrs Yogi Sutton on 02077330045 and Mrs Clare Williams on 02086749747. Along with the Parish Priest the safeguarding Representatives will assist when drawing up job descriptions for those in charge of the various programmes involving children. They will also assist the Parish Priest in the process of seeking references for all those who have appreciable contact with children and young people. In addition they will help the Parish Priest to promote the practice of sensible procedures for child protection/safeguarding.
The local authorities for reporting abuse are:
Local Police Safeguarding Team:
Social Services safeguarding Team: 0207 926 6508
or out of hours: 0207 926 1000
The Diocesan safeguarding Office: 0207 960 2503/2504
Email:
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
DO: Treat all people with dignity and respect
Provide an example you wish others to follow
Respect people’s right to personal privacy
Plan activities which involve more than one person being present or at least within sight or hearing of others ‘Never be on your own’
Follow National Procedures and Guidance
Encourage children, young people and vulnerable adults to feel comfortable to point out attitudes or behaviours they don’t like
Remember that others might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned
Recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling, such as when dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse
Challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicions of abuse.
DO NOT: Permit abusive peer activities – ridiculing, bullying
Play physical contact games with children and young people
Have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
Jump to conclusions without checking facts
Show favouritism to any individual
Make suggestive remarks or gestures, even in fun
Let suspicion, disclosure or allegations of abuse go unrecorded or unreported
RESPONDING TO CONCERNS
Listen and keep on listening
Do not ask questions
Do not promise confidentiality
Accept what you are being told without interruption
Record the facts as you know them and pass them to your Safeguarding Representative
Ensure the immediate safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult
Do not tell parents or talk to others
If there is an urgent concern contact the Police or Social Services
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