Safeguarding
“Within the Diocese and the wider church, we acknowledge that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we all have a part to play in keeping people safe.”
The Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall is committed to protecting children & vulnerable adults from neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse and to promoting a safe environment for everyone. We follow the Safeguarding policies of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
We will liaise closely with the statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse that may occur are promptly reported and properly dealt with, victims supported and perpetrators held to account.
Parish Safeguarding Representatives
psr.gpartington@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
psr.sgoodyear@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
It is the policy of the Parish that all those who work with children and vulnerable adults are officially checked and cleared through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Our Parish Safeguarding Reps will advise & process applications for volunteer posts, in conjunction with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. All personal details are treated with the utmost confidentiality & are only retained by the Diocesan Safeguarding Office.
Once an application has been finalised all volunteers should undertake a short training module, which is available on the CSSA website below, to help understand identify and raise safeguarding concerns. Please follow this link to start this training course: https://training.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/
Urgent Safeguarding Concerns
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
If there is no immediate danger, then please contact the Safeguarding Office directly on 0113 2618046 or via email to: safeguarding@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
The Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding Team is available Monday to Friday 8am– 4pm
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.
Any referrals made directly to the Police must also be sent to the Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding office at the same time. The Safeguarding office will inform the Parish Safeguarding Representative.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and to the Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding Office.
Anyone who brings concerns or allegations to the notice of the Church will be responded to sensitively, respectfully and seriously. All concerns and allegations will be addressed using the Church’s national procedures and in a timely manner.
