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.
I am very pleased to announce the launch of a new service dedicated to the support and accompaniment of those who have suffered abuse within the Church, which will complement the existing support services within the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Safe Spaces, a joint Catholic/Anglican initiative, is the fruit of an ongoing collaboration between the churches who wish to reach out to and support those who have experienced such abuse. The charity Victim Support (VS) will independently manage the project with the aim of offering help to anyone who may have experienced trauma in the context of church activity. Their experience in offering support to victims of abuse, support which not only puts victims first but which is also informed by their experience, is a great step in helping us to hear and respond in a more concrete way to their needs.
Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding
Things are changing quickly and the disruption is very difficult for many people. If you are struggling during this unprecedented time here are the contact details for organisations who can help and support you.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is confidential and available 24 hours a day. 0808 2000 247
Anxiety UK
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Mind - Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans - Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org
Age UK
Phone: 0800 6781602
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
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.
Providing advice to members of the Church about safeguarding Issues.
Undertaking quality assurance exercises to ensure compliance with the national policies and procedures of the Catholic Church in England and Wales
Developing safeguarding training within the Church.
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, disseminating and celebrating good safeguarding practice in the Church.
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.
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.
Processing of criminal record checks in England and Wales
The Catholic Church of England and Wales, the Bishops and Religious Congregational Leaders are committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church and affirm a ‘One Church’ approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk through the promotion of a sustained culture of constant vigilance. The ‘best interests’ or ‘paramount chief principle’, which underpins and is enshrined in child and adult protection legislation, shall be the primary consideration in all matters of safeguarding. The One Church approach refers to the commitment by the Church in England and Wales to using the same policies, procedures, standards and systems in relation to safeguarding.
This manual contains the National Procedures to be followed by all those involved with responding to concerns or allegations of abuse about a child or adult within the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
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.