Our Commitment to Safeguarding

What is Safeguarding?

Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service
Safeguarding is the shared responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is also about ensuring the professional and safe behaviour of everyone who has a duty of care within our Catholic communities whether ordained or lay and whether in a paid or volunteer position. Safeguarding is not only a way to respond to harm but must be proactive in the prevention of any form of abuse or harm. 

All components of the Catholic Church in Scotland, especially those in positions of leadership and responsibility, value the lives, wholeness, safety and well-being of each individual person within God’s purpose for everyone. We seek to uphold the highest safeguarding standards in our relationships with people of all ages who are involved in whatever capacity with the Church and its organisations. And therefore, as a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us – ordained, professed, employed and voluntary members – to work together to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse or harm.”

Safeguarding Code of Conduct

Responding to Safeguarding concerns or allegations

The Catholic Church in Scotland takes Safeguarding concerns and allegations most seriously and we wish always to respond to any disclosures appropriately, according to the demands of justice. We are committed to co-operating with the statutory authorities and the requirements of criminal law. This includes the mandatory reporting of all allegations to the statutory authorities.

The Catholic Church in Scotland has a mandatory reporting policy which means that ‘when a disclosure of abuse is made, it is always reported to Police Scotland, whether the accused is alive or deceased.’ (IGI Standard 3.2.1).

If you have a safeguarding concern please report it immediately to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor:

DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISOR –
01382 225453

safeguarding@dunkelddiocese.org.uk

If you would prefer, you can also download and complete the Allegation recording form here:

Safeguarding Reporting Form Download

(this form should then be forwarded to the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor)

Providing care and support for survivors

‘Survivors of abuse of any form deserve the greatest care and respect. Their courage in coming forward to disclose their experience to personnel within the Church can never be underestimated. So, Church personnel must take care to provide an immediacy of response (as well as sensitive care) to anyone who wishes to talk about the harm they have suffered.” (IGI Standard 4.1.4)

Should anyone wish to seek support or assistance as a result of harm caused within the Catholic Church please contact:

DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISOR
– 01382 225453
Email: safeguarding@dunkelddiocese.org.uk

Information for survivors – available here.

Raphael Counselling Service

The Raphael Counselling Service has been established to offer support to anyone who has suffered abuse in the Catholic Church in Scotland. Counselling is provided by Health in Mind, an independent professional Counselling service, and is funded by the Catholic Church in Scotland.

For further information please download the information leaflet:

Raphael Counselling Service LeafletDownload

Should anyone wish to seek support or assistance as a result of harm caused within the Catholic Church please contact:

DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADVISOR – 01382 225453

Email: safeguarding@dunkelddiocese.org.uk

Survivor support and other important contact information

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Survivor Support ContactsDownload
Other Important ContactsDownload

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