All Saints & St. Teresa's Catholic Churches Lanchester & Annfield Plain
 
Safeguarding Policy  
 
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Safeguarding in our Parish

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 by their Christian community.

As such, we aim to provide a safe environment for everyone, which promotes and supports wellbeing. This includes carefully selecting and appointing those who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults and responding robustly where concerns arise. Therefore, all clergy, employees and volunteers working with vulnerable groups, including children, must adhere to the Catholic Church's national safeguarding policies and undergo safe recuitment checks, including a DBS Disclosure Application, before they can be appointed.

To carry out these processes and to respond to safeguarding concerns, the Diocese has a dedicated Safeguarding Team and has a named Safeguarding Representative in each Parish.

In our Parish, that Representative is:

Mrs Karen McKenna. Tel: 01207 529788 or 07771764126 ( or the parish office )

If anyone wishes to take up a role that involves working with children, young people or vulnerable adults within the Parish, you are asked to contact Karen so that the appropiate documentation can be completed and clearance obtained. Also, you are welcome to contact her if you have general safeguarding questions or concerns.

More information regarding safeguarding, such as creating safe environments and protecting children and vulnerable adults, can be found in the Diocesan Safeguarding Guidelines document. A safeguarding poster providing contact details for various Helplines is also available on the notice boards in church & Parish Centre.

 

It is vitally important to remember that where information about a disclosure becomes known you ( or you wish to speak to someone about your own personal circumstances ) , then action must be taken to ensure that children, young people or vulnerable adults are not put at continued risk and a proper investigation takes place. You can speak directly to a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team or, if there is immediate risk, to the police or local authority children's or adult's srevices.

 

Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Tel: 0191 243 3305 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Email: safeguarding@diocesehn.org.uk

 

Safeguarding Guidelines:

Download Safeguarding Guidelines

The Catholic Church in England and Wales has free access to accredited online

safeguarding training. If you have a role working with children, young people or

adults who may be vulnerable, or if you are a parent who wants to understand

on-line safety, we encourage you to read the e-learning safeguarding brochure

below. This explains what programmes are available via e-learning and how to

access the programmes that interest you.

 

H & N Towards a Culture of Safeguarding-C8

 

 

Please email e-learning.safeguarding@diocesehn.org.uk to register your interest

and they will contact you to confirm access arrangements. Your email should include

your name, address, the name of your parish / order / congregation and your role

( for example priest, youth worker or parent / guardian).