Our annual statement is read out in parishes around the time of the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, which this year falls on 2 October.
In echoing this spirit of guardianship, we would like to remind you of our obligation to ensure that parish communities are safe and welcoming places, where children and vulnerable adults are protected.
Our procedures are designed to create a safe culture.
Safe recruitment practices ensure that volunteers only start their ministry once a series of suitability checks have been completed, including a Protection of Vulnerable Groups, or PVG, check if appropriate.We have reporting measures so that concerns can be passed on.
Our Mandatory Reporting Policy is designed to ensure that any allegations of abuse are reported to the police. Safeguarding training ensures that volunteers, group leaders and Parish Safeguarding Coordinators know what to do if a safeguarding situation arises.
Whilst statutory procedures such as PVG checks are an essential and mandatory part of our protocols, adopting a culture of care is equally important – being vigilant, looking out for each other,and passing on any concerns.
Archbishop Leo Cushley wishes to express his sincere thanks to clergy, parish safeguarding coordinators, group leaders, and volunteers, as we work together to ensure that our people, places and activities are safe.
Full details of safeguarding staff for the Archdiocese can be found on the safeguarding page of this website here.
National Safeguarding Conference
The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) hosts the National Safeguarding Conference on Saturday 16th November 2024.
It is for all responsible for safeguarding in Catholic parishes, dioceses, religious congregations and lay organisations
The event takes place at the University of Strathclyde, Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD
The annual event is for clergy, religious, PSCs, parish volunteers, employees and all who have a role in the Church’s safeguarding efforts in Scotland.
The theme is 'Once Chance to Change: Trauma Informed Responses to Disclosures of Abuse.'
Organisers say: "The conference is designed as an in-person event in order to encourage networking and facilitate rich discussion on the range of scenarios to be presented.
"By attending you can benefit from expert input, practical discussion and take-away resources on trauma-informed responses to disclosures of abuse."
The Conference Fee is £25 and you are encouraged to book nowwhile places are available.
National Safeguarding Conference, University of Strathclyde's Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD. Register here.
Leader of safeguarding agency on recruitment drive
The leader of a new safeguarding agency has begun a recruitment drive to ensure its "rigour, independence and expertise".
Lady Rita Rae was recently announced as the Board Chair of the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) and is currently recruiting staff and no executive directors
She said: "As a Catholic, I have been pained by the failings of the past and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the culture of safety and integrity which the Church now fosters.
Independent
"I intend to ensure that the SCSSA will operate entirely independently of the Catholic Church, with its own staff and non-executive directors who will maintain regular contact with dioceses and religious communities.
"I earnestly wish to rebuild confidence and trust, especially among those who have experienced abuse. I look forward to recruiting fellow Board members who will bring rigour, independence and expertise to the work of the agency."
Safety and Integrity
She added: "I believe that we must provide a forum in which people who have experienced abuse in the Churchcan bring their own perspectives to inform the development of the Church’s safeguarding policy and practice. I am determined that we will listen to and learn from them.”
As well as a recruitment drive, Lady Rae will embark on meetings with relevant groups and individuals to learn from their experience and to listen to their views.
What will be the SCSSA' main functions?
To take account of the perspectives of survivors of abuse in the development of safeguarding policy and practice
To promote national safeguarding standards
To monitor, review and report on compliance with safeguarding standards
To lead safeguarding learning
To develop processes to deal with whistle-blowing and with complaints about responses to safeguarding allegations
To manage communications on national safeguarding policy and practice
This article is a shortened version which appears in the latest issue of the Safeguarding Matters newsletter. Read it here. Find out more about safeguarding in our Archdiocese here
Former judge is Chair of new independent Safeguarding agency
The Catholic Church in Scotland has appointed The Hon Lady Rita Rae QC as the first Board Chair of the new Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) which will operate as a private company, writes the Scottish Catholic Media Office.
She said, “I recognise that, in establishing this independent agency, the Catholic Church in Scotland is taking another bold step to ensure that its safeguarding practice is meeting the highest standards.
"I intend to ensure that the agency will operate with independence and that it will seek to rebuild confidence and trust, especially among those who have experienced abuse.
"I look forward to recruiting fellow Board members who will bring rigour, independence and expertise to the work of the agency."
Impartial
The SCSSA will operate entirely independently of the Catholic Church, with its own staff and non-executive directors who will work in close collaboration with dioceses and religious communities to ensure that they are meeting safeguarding standards.
Crucially, it will develop a forum in which those who have experienced abuse can contribute their own perspectives to the development of the Church’s safeguarding practice.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert (President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland) said, “When considering a number of possible candidates for this important post, the Bishops were united in their view that the SCSSA Board Chair must be able to act with impartiality, integrity and freedom from interference.
"We immediately recognised that Lady Rae’s prestigious legal career, and her reputation as a recent Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, offered great testimony to the rigour and the independence with which she will approach this role. We are delighted that she has accepted this appointment.”
Lady Rae will begin to recruit SCSSA Board Members in January 2022.
Church establishes new independent safeguarding agency
The Catholic Church in Scotland is to create a new independent safeguarding agency which will promote "consistency, transparency and accountability."
The announcement was made by Bishop Hugh Gilbert at a national safeguarding webinar held today, attended by 450 people.
He said: “The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) will operate entirely independently of the Church.
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) October 2, 2021
"It will have its own staff and Board of Management who will work in close collaboration with dioceses and religious communities to ensure that they are able to meet national safeguarding standards.
"It will also develop a process that will provide an independent review of complaints about safeguarding practice and crucially, establish a forum in which those who have experienced abuse can contribute their own perspectives to the development of safeguarding.”
Recruitment
Bishop Hugh, who is President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, added: “We will shortly commence the recruitment process for the Chair and members of the Board of Management, followed by the recruitment of a Director and a Head of Safeguarding Training.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert appeared at today's safeguarding webinar to make the announement.
"It will take some time to establish the new agency and we ask for your patience and support while that process is underway.
He finished: “The Bishops ask for your prayers that the Holy Spirt will guide us in the selection of suitable candidates who will bring authority and credibility to the work of this new agency that will promote consistency, transparency and accountability across Catholic Church institutions in Scotland.”
Find out more about safeguarding in our Archdiocese in the safeguarding section of this website.
New version of safeguarding manual now online
The updated Safeguarding instruction manual of the Catholic Church in Scotland is now available online.
In God's Image V2 (Version 2) follows a period of consultation, reflection and discussion among many who have direct experience and expertise in the front line of the Church’s safeguarding practice.
IN GOD'S IMAGE version 2 - the updated Safeguarding instruction manual of the Catholic Church in Scotland, coming into effect on 8th September 2021 - is now available online here: https://t.co/SCfXBZ4k6Wpic.twitter.com/kVxsPdDS12
That includes responding to the hurt and anguish of those who have suffered abuse at the hands of clergy, religious and others working within the Catholic Church.
The manual
Takes into account evolving changes to the PVG scheme in Scotland.
Highlights instructions and norms published by the Holy See.
Refers to key statements made by Pope Francis.
The work of the Independent Review Group and recommendations from independent audits of safeguarding in Scottish dioceses have also had a bearing on this revised version.
History
In God's Image was orginally published in 2018 by the Bishops in Scotland as a policy document on safeguarding standards.
It was published as an "Instruction on Safeguarding for implementation in all Catholic canonical jurisdictions in Scotland and by all other groups and organisations in Scotland subject to a legitimate canonical authority of the Catholic Church."
The final text of Version 2 was ratified unanimously by the Bishops of Scotland in July and it comes into effect on 8 September 2021, the feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Emma Boothroyd, Safeguarding Advisor for the Archdiocese, said: “Thanks to all Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinators, Deanery Trainers and volunteers in our Archdiocese who perform an essential service for the church.”
IN GOD'S IMAGE V2 can be read and downloaded from the BCOS website. Find out more about safeguarding in our Archdiocese on this website by clicking here.
Job Vacancy: Diocesan Safeguarding Officer
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint a Diocesan Safeguarding Officer to assist the Safeguarding Adviser in providing a professional safeguarding service to and on behalf of the Archdiocese.
Salary: £25-£30k pro rata, dependent on experience. Hours: 21 hours per week (three days).
You should have relevant experience of delivering safeguarding services, including face-to-face and online training; be confident in using IT systems and be well organised, flexible and self-motivated. You will have good communication skills and be confident in working with volunteers.
Click here for a full job description and person specification.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter, detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role, to recruitment@staned.org.uk by Sunday 2nd May 2021. Interviews (online) will be scheduled week commencing 24th May 2021.
FRIDAY: Day of Prayer for those who have suffered abuse
Archbishop Cushley encourages you to set aside time on Friday to pray for those who have suffered any form of abuse.
It's part of the annual Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse, scheduled in the Church's calendar for the Friday following Ash Wednesday.
He said: "A short prayer service is available online and I ask Catholics to make some time on Friday to say these prayers. We pray for those who have suffered any form of abuse in the Church and across society, that God may give them peace and comfort."
To find out more about Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland please visit bcos.org.uk/safeguarding. The Archdiocese's Safeguarding page can be found here.
In God's Image: views sought for update
People are being invited to submit their views ahead of an updated version of 'In God's Image'.
The document, an 'Instruction on Safeguarding' from the Bishops of Scotland to all Catholic jurisdictions in the country - was published in March 2018, initially for a three-year period.
The Bishops are now preparing for the publication of version two to reflect any significant Safeguarding developments that have occurred since first publication. The intended publication date is June 2021. Until then, the current version of 'In God's Image' V1 will remain valid.
The Bishops are seeking views from all interested groups and individuals on any changes they would propose to the current text in the light of their experience.
This invitation extends to dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, organisations, to clergy and laypeople, to professional Safeguarding staff and volunteers, to those in Scotland and beyond, to those in other churches or faith groups and to all who are interested in keeping children and vulnerable adults safe in every Church environment.
Above all, the Bishops are keen to hear from survivors or victims of abuse so that the Church can learn from past mistakes and plan to ensure appropriate and sensitive responses to all allegations and concerns.
If you wish to offer any suggestions for changes to the current text of ‘In God’s Image’, please use this form. Closing date for submissions is 30 November.
