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

Procedures Manual

Introduction to the procedures manual

Chapter 1 - Policy statement, organizational structure and roles, key principles and values, legislative framework, key terms

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Key Principles and Values

Legislative Framework

Organisational Structure and Key Roles

National Safeguarding Structure diagram

Local Safeguarding Structure diagram

Chapter 2 - Responding to Allegations and Concerns

Children – management of allegations and concerns

Adults – management of allegations and concerns

Quick Guide – responding to allegations

Disclosure of abuse and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Safeguarding in Independent Schools associated with Religious Congregations

Safeguarding Plans – management of risk and support within the Church

Risk Information Framework

Cross boundary placements

Policy on the support of those affected by allegations of abuse within a Church setting

Commissioning independent investigations and independent assessments

Commissioning Agreement

Chapter 3 - Information Sharing and Data Protection

Confidentiality

Information Sharing Overview

National Safeguarding Information Sharing Protocol

Appendix 1 - Information Sharing Agreement

Appendix 2 - Information Sharing Request Form

CSAS General Privacy Notice

DBS Privacy Notice

Information Security Policy for DBS

Disclosure of child and adult protection records in court proceedings

Safeguarding Record Retention Schedule

Right of Access requests

Chapter 4 - Creating a Safer Environment

Creating a safer environment – guidance

Guidance on safeguarding in the use of videoconferencing for ministry

Code of Conduct – leaders and helpers

Code of Conduct – Children and young people

Chapter 5 - Safer Recruitment and safer working practices

Whistleblowing

Safer recruitment policy and procedure

Policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders

Flowchart - recruitment and appointment process planner

Flowchart – safer recruitment of new volunteers

Policy and Procedure – The temporary ministry of priests within England and Wales

Policy and Procedure – The temporary ministry of non-ordained religious within England and Wales

Policy and Procedure – The temporary ministry of Deacons and Seminarians within England and Wales

Chapter 6 - DBS processing

Policy and procedure – DBS online update service and online status checks

Policy and procedure for the handling of DBS related complaints

Policy and procedure on the management of blemished SSDs and Disclosure Certificates

Blemished Disclosure risk assessment form

The DBS and the Catholic Church in England and Wales

Types of DBS Disclosure

Eligibility for DBS Disclosure Applications

Decision making tool for supervision

DBS definition of a volunteer

Disclosure for Seminarians and Religious in Formation

ID verification

ID verification flowchart

Completion of paper applications for DBS Disclosures

Renewal of criminal record checks

The role list

Appointment and removal of Countersignatories

Access to the National Database

Duty to refer to the DBS

Useful links

Chapter 7 - Protocols

Protocol for Communication and Cooperation between Safeguarding Commissions

Chapter 8 - Standards

Induction pack for Parish Safeguarding Representatives

Induction pack for Commission Members

Commission Chair – model person specification and role description

National standards for induction, supervision, support, training and appraisal

Recording a disclosure, allegation or concern

Review Panels

Chapter 9 - Good Practice Guidance

Supporting people who may be experiencing domestic abuse

Conducting an initial meeting to inform an individual that safeguarding concerns have arisen or an allegation has been made

Safeguarding and the Ministry of Healing

Re-integration into Ministry

Chapter 10 - Information Sheets and Leaflets

Hurt By Abuse - leaflet for dioceses

Hurt By Abuse - leaflet for religious congregations

How to respond, listen to and support victims and survivors of abuse

A guide for clergy and religious if you are the subject of an allegation of abuse

Safeguarding Structures - A guide for professionals

Making a complaint about safeguarding services

Abuse and neglect in adults

Adult Safeguarding - six key principles underpin all adult safeguarding work

Abuse of children

Trafficking and Modern Slavery

Protecting people from radicalisation and PREVENT

Safeguarding Plans

Temporary removal from ministry

Disciplinary penal process for Clerics

Issuing of Decrees

Information Sheet - Dismissal and Dispensation from the Obligations of the Clerical state for Diocesan Clergy

Information Sheet – Dismissal and Dispensation from the Religious Life and from the Obligations of the Clerical State for Religious Clergy

Information Sheet – Dismissal and Dispensation from the Religious Life of those who are not Clerics

Responsibilities of dioceses and religious congregations towards clergy and religious against whom allegations have been made

Chapter 11 - Forms

CM1 - Case referral form

CM2 - Case recording log

CASE 1 – Written Agreement for volunteers

CASE 2 – Application for approval of events and activities

CASE 4 – Parental consent for an activity

PHOTO1 – Consent to the safe use of images

CASE 5 - Session Recording Sheet

CASE 6 - Incident Report Form

CASE 9 - Declaration on Safeguarding Procedures

Safeguarding Plan for Clergy when an allegation has been made and pending the outcome of statutory safeguarding investigations

Safeguarding Plan for Clergy when statutory investigations have concluded and concerns remain

Safeguarding Plan for Clergy who have a conviction for an offence against a child or adult at risk

Safeguarding Plan for Religious when an allegation has been made and pending the outcome of statutory safeguarding investigations

Safeguarding Plan for Religious when statutory investigations have concluded and concerns remain

Safeguarding Plan for Religious who have a conviction of an offence against a child or adult at risk

Safeguarding Plan for Lay Persons

Testimonials of Suitability for Ministry – Diocesan Clergy

Testimonial of Suitability for Ministry – Religious Clergy

Testimonial of Suitability for Ministry – Non-ordained Religious

DBS 1 – Volunteer Registration Form

DBS 2 – Volunteer reference

DBS 3a - confirmation of identity- applicants from the UK or EEA & volunteers from outside the UK or EEA

DBS 3b – Confirmation of identity – applicants from outside the UK or EEA (not volunteers)

DBS 4 – Safeguarding self-declaration

DBS 5 – request to withdraw consent to checking online update service

DBS9 – Confidentiality agreement

DBS10 – Countersignatory agreement

DBS 11 – Request for new countersignatory

DBS12 – Request for removal of a countersignatory

DBS13 – Update Service Identity Verification Form

DBS14 – Ebulk end user agreement

DBS15 – Information security incident form

DBS16 - DBS Ebulk exit form

DBS17 - Applicant consent for DBS processing

Form 1 – Supervision Agreement

Form 2 – Supervision Agenda

Form 3 – Record of supervision

Form 4 – Record of individual case discussion

Form A – Preparation by role holder for appraisal

Form B – Appraisal preparation – supervisor/manager

Form C – Annual appraisal summary

National review monitoring template

National review report template

Chapter 12 – Catholic key words

Catholic Keywords

Key words glossary