Safeguarding Policy Statement
“The Parish of Hemel West, together with the Diocese of Westminster, is committed to the Safeguarding policies of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, to protect our children, young people and vulnerable adults from neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse and to promote a safe environment for them.
This commitment flows from the fact that we are all made in the image of God and the Church’s common belief in the dignity and uniqueness of every human life.
We start from the principle that each child, young person and vulnerable adult* has the right to expect the highest level of care, protection, love, encouragement and respect that we can give.”
* (A “vulnerable adult” is a person aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness is, or may be, unable to take care of him or herself against “significant harm” or “exploitation”).
******
Our Parish Safeguarding Representative are Loretta Anderson and Karen Moody.
Parish Safeguarding Representative are appointed by the Westminster Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator/Advisor to ensure that the parish is aware of the importance of protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults; and what is involved in promoting good and safe practice.
The Diocese of Westminster Safeguarding Service co-ordinates, plans and monitors all aspects of safeguarding work within the Diocese. See website www.rcdow.org.uk for further details.
The National Safeguarding policies can be accessed at www.csasprocedures.uk.net.
In accordance with the National Safeguarding policies, all of our Parish Volunteers who are working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are checked by the Parish Safeguarding Representative. This involves completing an application form with basic information about the person and the names of two referees; a confidential declaration form; and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) form. The completed forms are sent to the Diocesan Safeguarding Office in Westminster where they are processed and stored. All information is treated as confidential.
The Parish Safeguarding Representative ensures that all volunteers are given information in order to promote a safe environment for our children and vulnerable adults and a code of behaviour to promote best practice. Volunteers are also given information to enable them to recognise and respond to a concern or an allegation of abuse of a child or vulnerable adult.
Please contact Loretta or Claire for further information.
Parish Contact: Loretta Anderson (0797 372 5507) hhwestsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk
RCDOW Safeguarding Team
Episcopal Vicar for Safeguarding – Rev Monsignor Séamus O’Boyle:
seamusoboyle@rcdow.org.uk / 020 7226 3277
Safeguarding Manager – Geraldine Allen:
geraldineallen@rcdow.org.uk / 0207 798 9350
PA to the Safeguarding Coordinator/Team Administrator/Commission Secretary – Gabriele Sedda:
gabrielesedda@rcdow.org.uk / 0207 798 9356
Safeguarding Officer – Natalie Creswick:
nataliecreswick@rcdow.org.uk / 0207 798 9359
DBS Administrator – Jackie Krobo:
jackiekrobo@rcdow.org.uk / 0207 798 9352
Safeguarding Support Officer – Arianna Sommariva:
ariannasommariva@rcdow.org.uk / 020 7798 9358