Safeguarding and Child Protection

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The Archdiocese of Southwark is committed to the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

The Diocese co-operates fully with the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service, which aims to help the Church become an example of best practice in the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, and develop a “culture of vigilance” to ensure that children and vulnerable adults in our care are kept safe from harm.

The Church has a responsibility to ensure all those who undertake work in its name, whether these are Clergy, Religious or Lay people undertaking work on a voluntary basis, are adequately screened and trained in safeguarding matters.  Screening takes place at a number of levels, in particular, through a formal check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, which replaced the Criminal Records Bureau checks).  This process is administered at parish level by the Parish Safeguarding Representative and is then forwarded to the Archdiocese, who liaises directly with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We all have a role to play in safeguarding the young or adults who may be at risk and therefore, have a duty to report any concerns in the first instance to either the Parish Priest, Father Behruz Rafat, in person on 01580 762785 (or in emergency on 0790 398646), or Janet Brierley, Parish Safeguarding Representative, on 01580 762526 .