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Reporting abuse

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.

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.

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.

If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese; (the relevant Diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the interactive map on the links page of this website - contact details will be shown when you click on the relevant area of the map). You can also contact CSAS by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@csas.uk.net

Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England & Wales

The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service is responsible for driving and supporting improvements in practice throughout the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Its primary role is one of co-ordination, advice and support in respect of safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk across the Church.

Advice Line During Pandemic

CSAS can be contacted for advice relating to safeguarding within the Catholic Church, policy and procedures and DBS processing. You can also contact us using admin@csas.uk.net. During the pandemic staff are working remotely Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and calls and emails will only be responded to during these times. If any matter is urgent then please contact the police or social services.

Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service

The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) was established in 2007 following acceptance by the Conference of Bishops and Conference of Religious of the Cumberlege Commission Report,

“Safeguarding with Confidence”

CSAS reports to and provides expert advice to the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission on all safeguarding matters. CSAS provides support, advice and coordination to the twenty eight Safeguarding Commissions across England and Wales and their respective safeguarding offices.

Role and responsibilities of CSAS

  • Providing Advice

    Providing advice to members of the Church about safeguarding Issues.

  • Undertaking Quality Assurance

    Undertaking quality assurance exercises to ensure compliance with the national policies and procedures of the Catholic Church in England and Wales

  • Training and Development

    Developing safeguarding training within the Church.

  • Developing & Updating Policy and Procedures

    Ensuring the Church’s policies on safeguarding children and adults at risk are kept up to date with good secular practice and are accessible to people at all levels in the Church.

  • Identifying Good Safeguarding Practice

    Identifying, disseminating and celebrating good safeguarding practice in the Church.

  • Safeguarding Liaison

    Being the point of liaison with other stakeholders within the Church and in other organisations concerned with safeguarding children and adults at risk, including the Government.

  • Annual Reporting

    Producing an annual business report for the public and wider Church community which reviews the work of the CSAS as a whole and reflects on the achievements of the Safeguarding Commissions.

  • Registered Body for DBS Disclosures

    Processing of criminal record checks in England and Wales

Safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk

If you are worried that a child or adult at risk may be being harmed either by someone in a family or household, or by someone within the church you should tell someone as soon as possible.

  • If you believe  they are in immediate danger please contact the police on 999.
  • If you are not sure whether something constitutes abuse or the degree of urgency please contact your diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator – contact details for your diocese can be found on the Links page of this website. 

You can find contact details for Safeguarding Coordinators on their respective websites (links to Diocesan websites can also be found in useful links section).

The national safeguarding policies and procedures of the Catholic Church in England and Wales can be found at Procedures Manual