Click here to view St. Patrick Safeguarding structure roles and responsibilities March 2024
Safeguarding at St Patrick’s Parish
A message from Bishop Declan 11/2023:
“Safeguarding is an essential part in the life and ministry of the Church. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure our parishes and institutions are safe places, especially for those who are vulnerable. Abuse and harm have no place in our diocese. There is zero tolerance to abuse, harm and any behaviour that falls short of appropriate safeguarding practices as expressed in National Policies.
Jesus welcomed children and blessed them. We are told that Jesus was indignant when anyone tried to keep the children away “let the little children come to me and do not stop them. It is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.” (Mark 10: 14).
Jesus makes clear his view about those who seek to harm the vulnerable, “anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. Anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18: 5-6) Jesus’ stark words point to the horror and seriousness of abuse. Abuse is evil. It is destructive. Everyone in our diocese is called to ensure that all diocesan institutions, parishes, clergy, employees and volunteers take appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment and put into practice Christ’s ministry towards children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Our diocese is committed to accompany and support all victims/survivors of abuse. We seek to learn from them and their representatives about best safeguarding practice.”
The Diocesan safeguarding team supports the ministry of the Church by providing a professional and robust support around the protection of children, young people and adults at risk, to ensure that worshipping communities are safe places where all have a positive experience of the Church in which they feel loved, accepted and safe. All issues will be dealt with in a sensitive and caring manner, in the strictest of confidence. The dedicated safeguarding team work closely with other agencies including the Police, Probation, Social Services and comply with the standards that are set by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). The CSSA has been set up as a professional standards body with regulatory powers which exist to regulate all Catholic Churches.
CSSA website: https://catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/
At St Patricks Parish our Parish Safeguarding Representative are:
Pauline Humphrey can be contacted by emailing: PSR.bristol.stpatrick@cliftondiocese.com
Deacon Rob Easton can be contacted by emailing: rob.easton@cliftondiocese.com
Alternatively, you can contact the Parish Office on 0117 955 7662 and ask to speak to Rob or Pauline.
The Parish Safeguarding Representatives have responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults and for providing advice on child and adult safeguarding matters within the Parish or Congregation.
The Diocesan safeguarding team are based at the safeguarding office, located at Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX
Their website is: Safeguarding | Clifton Diocese and has a great deal of information and contact details.
General enquiries: 0117 954 0993
Email: safeguarding@cliftondiocese.com
Safeguarding Coordinator:
Janice Pearson
07887 990 385
Janice.pearson@cliftondiocese.com
Reporting abuse
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to our Safeguarding Coordinator Janice Pearson on 07887 990 385