Safeguarding Commission

Overview

When the term “safeguarding” hit our minds, it might have sounded like another piece of professional jargon, but at the same time, it’s a crucial aspect that affects us all. Safeguarding deals with helping vulnerable groups of the community. It means protecting children and adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Safeguarding is not only about reacting to emergencies, but it’s also about being proactive and vigilant all the time to create environments where people feel safe and respected. In short, clear policies and procedures that ensure harm is prevented and that we are ready to respond precisely if a problem does arise.

With safeguarding we go around in our Catholic schools, parishes and hospitals giving some training and raising awareness. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the children and vulnerable adult’s wellbeing is promoted.

Aims of the Safeguarding Commission

To prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect wherever possible
To safeguard children and vulnerable adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live their lives.
To promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for children and vulnerable adults concerned.
To raise public awareness so that communities as a whole, alongside professionals, play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect.
To provide information and support in accessible ways to help people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well-being of children and vulnerable adults in our Diocese.