Safeguarding is the process of protecting children, young people and adults at risk from abuse or neglect. It is a part of the Church’s role to care for and protect the weak and the needy, following the Lord’s call for us to shepherd the most vulnerable members of his flock. The Catholic Church in England and Wales is striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through the prayerful, caring, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic community.
Parish Safeguarding Representative The Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) has a special responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults at risk within the parish. The PSR is the link between the parish and the diocese in all matters relating to safeguarding and is involved in the recruitment of people to roles within the parish, with specific responsibility for facilitating the DBS Disclosure procedure at parish level to ensure that everybody who is required to go through the procedure does so. The PSR is the first point of contact for any concerns or allegations relating to safeguarding that anyone in the parish feels the need to disclose.
Three volunteers have now completed their safeguarding training and been appointed as a team of PSR for the parish. Seena Vadassery heads the team, with Barrister Nonso Ijezie and Dr Eric Chiejina as the other two members of the team. The team can be contacted by phone on 07402030680, 07432674955; 07717578052; or Email: hatfieldsouthsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk
Promoting a Culture of Safeguarding The Church has a responsibility to ensure all those who undertake work in the name of the Church are adequately trained in safeguarding matters. But we all have a role to play in safeguarding the young or adults who may be at risk. It is for this reason that an e-learning package has been developed as part of the Church’s commitment to safeguarding and it is available to all members of the Catholic community free of charge. Each programme is modular and divided up into a bitesized format. You will need internet access to take the programme. To access this training resource:
1. Email safeguardingadmin@rcdow.org.uk to register your interest. 2. Your email should contain your name, email address, the name of your parish (St Peter’s, Hatfield South) and your role eg Youth Worker, Teacher, Parent or Other. 3. On receipt of your email the safeguarding administrator will register your email address with EduCare. 4. You will receive a Welcome Email from EduCare where you will set your password. 5. You will then have instant access to the training programme.
If you would like any more information on safeguarding in the Church, or literature on safeguarding such as on survivors of abuse, for example, please contact any member of the parish safeguarding team.