Safeguarding
Click below to explore:
The Catholic Church in Scotland is committed to respecting, protecting and nurturing the dignity of all people.
We are determined that we will offer a safe place in all Church premises and activities, and with all Church personnel.
As leaders of the Catholic community in Scotland, we are committed to improving the culture of our Safeguarding approach in order to rebuild trust and confidence in the ways in which we ensure that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe.
In God’s Image V2, Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland
The Safeguarding Team in the Archdiocese is based at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, and comprises the Safeguarding Advisor, the Safeguarding Officer and the Safeguarding Administrator.
Scott Mackenzie
Safeguarding Advisor
E: scott.mackenzie@staned.org.uk
T: 0131 623 8949 / 07903 619 342
Elaine Anderson
Safeguarding Officer – Wednesday to Friday
E: Elaine.Anderson@staned.org.uk
T: 0131 623 8944
Margaret McCluskey
Safeguarding Administrator
E: Margaret.McCluskey@staned.org.uk
T: 0131 623 8943
Fr. Allan Chambers
Vicar General for Safeguarding
E: allan.chambers@staned.org.uk
In Parishes and across the Archdiocese there are:
Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinators (PSCs): Volunteers based in parishes and alongside the parish priests. They ensure that volunteers within the church are suitably trained and checked in addition to communicating any concerns or complaints that may arise within a parish to the Safeguarding Advisor.
Deanery Trainers: There are five deaneries in the Archdiocese. Each deanery has a trainer who delivers essential safeguarding training to all the volunteers.
Parish Volunteers: There are around 2,500 volunteers doing regulated work (with children or vulnerable adults) in the Archdiocese, performing an essential service for the Church community.
All together, we provide the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Service, working together to protect our children and vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding Induction Training is a course prepared by the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA).
The new training course must be completed by all who will be working in a regulated role prior to assuming any role in the Church involving children or vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding Induction Training (ONLINE)
Safeguarding Induction Training prepared by the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA). The duration of this online training is approximately two hours.
Saturday 23rd May 2026 at 10am
To register, please email Julie.Brechin@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish & role.
Saturday 6th June at 9am
To register please email elaine.anderson@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Wednesday 17th June 2026 at 7pm
To register please email margaret.andow@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Saturday 27th June 2026 at 10am
To register, please email Margaret.McCluskey@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish & role.
Tuesday 7th July 2026 at 7pm
To register please email margaret.andow@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Saturday 25th July 2026 at 10am
To register, please email Julie.Brechin@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish & role.
Saturday 29th August 2026 at 10am
To register, please email Julie.Brechin@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish & role.
Saturday 26th September 2026 at 10am
To register, please email Julie.Brechin@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish & role.
Saturday 24th October 2026 at 10am
To register, please email Julie.Brechin@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish & role.
Safeguarding Induction Training (FACE-TO-FACE)
Safeguarding Induction Training prepared by the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA). Duration of face-to-face training is approximately two hours.
Training is held at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh EH9 1BB. Free parking is available.
Thursday 28th May 2026 at 1pm with Trainer Joanne Aitken
To register please email Margaret.McCluskey@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Thursday 25th June 2026 at 1pm with Trainer Joanne Aitken
To register please email Margaret.McCluskey@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Thursday 30th July 2026 at 1pm with Trainer Joanne Aitken
To register please email Margaret.McCluskey@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Thursday 27th August 2026 at 1pm with Trainer Joanne Aitken
To register please email Margaret.McCluskey@staned.org.uk giving details of your name, parish & role.
Parish Safeguarding Coordinators (PSC) Training
Online Training: Duration two hours
- Please check back later for details of the next session.
Risk Assessment Training
Safeguarding Risk Assessment Training Online- approx. 90 minutes
Please check back later for another date.
Policies
Forms
Survivor Information
Newsletters Archdiocese
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Spring 26
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – November 24
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – January 2024
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Autumn 2023
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Summer 23 (Audit Special)
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Spring 2023
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Winter 2023
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Spring 2022
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Autumn 2021
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Newsletter – Summer 2021
Newsletters (SCSSA)
Safeguarding Matters – Jan 2026
Safeguarding Matters – May 2025
Safeguarding Matters – February 2025
Safeguarding Matters – October 2024
Safeguarding Matters – June 2024
Safeguarding Matters – March 2024
Safeguarding Matters – May 2023
Safeguarding Matters – Dec 2022
Safeguarding Matters – Oct 2022
Safeguarding Matters – June 2022
Safeguarding Posters
Publicity
Tier 3 (General Volunteer): Guidance & Forms
Let Forms
This link will take you to the Property page. You should then tab down to “resources” at the bottom, and then you can access all forms and licenses relating to lets.
Responding to 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 Bishop’s Conference of Scotland has a mandatory Reporting Policy where all allegations of a criminal nature are reported to Police Scotland. This applies whether the accused is alive or deceased.
Allegations must in the first instance be reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. If the Adviser is not available, please ask to speak to a member of Safeguarding Team.
If anyone discloses an allegation to you always remember to follow the nationally agree process: Listen – Respond – Record – Refer.
What can you do to help if you are worried about a child, young person or adult at risk?
If you see behaviour that is of concern, or if an individual tells you something, you need to take them seriously, and speak to someone (the person to whom you are responsible or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser).
In an emergency situation, where you have immediate concerns for the safety of an individual you must contact the Police/Social Work Services/Medical Services direct.
Responding to Concerns/Allegations of Abuse in Emergency Situations
When a child, young person or adult at risk is at risk of immediate harm, contact the Police and/or Social Work Services giving full information and follow advice given. Statutory Agencies are staffed 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Seek medical help where necessary, giving medical staff relevant information about the allegation/concern.
Following these steps ensures immediate avoidance of further abuse, immediate pursuit of an alleged abuser, avoidance or destruction of evidence.
To discuss in confidence how we may be able to help, contact:
Scott Mackenzie
Safeguarding Advisor
E: scott.mackenzie@staned.org.uk
T: 0131 623 8949 / 07903 619 342
or write to:
The Safeguarding Advisor
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh
100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.