Reporting a concern about a child or adult at risk: If a Child (anyone under the age of 18) or Adult at Risk is in immediate danger you must contact the Police on 999. If you have other concerns and there is no immediate danger, please contact the Safeguarding Team. Expand Responding to your concerns: The Safeguarding Team is available Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm and can be contacted via: Email: [email protected] Phone: 0121 230 6240 We operate a duty system whereby there is a Safeguarding Advisor available during operating hours to respond to calls. Administrators will take the details of the initial contact and one of our available advisors will call you back as soon as possible. Anyone who brings concerns or allegations to the notice of the Church will be responded to sensitively. All concerns and allegations will be addressed using the Church’s national procedures and in a timely manner. If you have a concern out of hours that cannot wait the following agencies can be contacted: Police: either via 999 or 101 or Local Authority children and adult services. Most local authorities run an out-of-hours helpline, details of which can be found on their website. Find out who is your Local Authority NSPCC: 0808 800 5000, free helpline. Call if you are worried about a child. Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and at weekends 9am – 6pm. NSPCC helpline Childline: 0800 1111 16-17 yr olds are legally classed as children and therefore fall within child protection procedures.
Support for Survivors: The Safeguarding Office is a safe point of contact for survivors of abuse. We are here to help. Expand The Archdiocese of Birmingham Safeguarding Team is available on:0121 230 6240 or by email on: [email protected] We support survivors who were abused when they were children and those who have been abused as adults. We recognise that speaking out about abuse can be very difficult and distressing and you may not have felt able to tell anyone before. We are here to support you to share your experiences. Our staff will do all they can to listen to you and support you to find the help you need. You can speak to them without giving your personal details. The Archdiocese is committed to supporting those who report being harmed and commits to the National Safeguarding Standards: “Standard 3: Those that report having suffered harm receive a compassionate, caring and timely response, and are provided with access to appropriate support, advice, and pastoral care.” Support and a listening ear is available from the Safeguarding Team but we also recognise that people may need/want to access support from other sources, we offer signposting and support to anyone who approaches us. You will be heard, be supported, and have your concerns taken seriously. Safe Spaces Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role at the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. Safe Spaces opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am-1pm and Sunday from 1pm-5pm (excluding bank holidays, subject to review). Tel: 0300 303 1056Email: [email protected]LiveChat: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.ukWebsite: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk Other support agencies The Survivors Trust The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK NAPAC – Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse Mind -For information for support around abuse - Guide to support options for abuse - Mind Rape Crisis England & Wales Victims' Code - Victim Support MACSAS Minister & Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors Survivors Guide from The Isaiah Journey
Contact us The Safeguarding Team. Expand The Safeguarding Team Head of Safeguarding – Claire Reay Safeguarding Advisor - Sarah Fullard Safeguarding Advisor - Beverley Lewis Safeguarding Advisor - Georgina McCaugherty (on maternity leave) Safeguarding Advisor - Lisa Anderson (maternity cover) Administration Support Officer - Jackie Crawford Administration Support Officer - Angela Arkley Contact Safeguarding Cathedral HouseSt Chad’s QueenswayBirminghamB4 6EX Tel: 0121 230 6240 Email: [email protected]
Safeguarding Policies Expand Policies approved by the Trustees of the Archdiocese of Birmingham Management of Allegations and Concerns Safer Recruitment Handling of DBS-related Complaints DBS Processing
Parish Safeguarding Communications - Minimum Standards In order to meet the standards set out by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) all parish communications need to demonstrate clearly the Archdiocese’s commitment to safeguarding. Expand Parish Safeguarding Communications - Minimum Standards The following has been sent to all clergy: In order to meet the standards set out by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) all parish communications need to demonstrate clearly the Archdiocese’s commitment to safeguarding. Could you please take the necessary steps to include this information on all parish communications (newsletters, noticeboard and website). Parish Newsletter For the parish newsletter, please include the following short statement together with contact details for parish safeguarding representatives (PSR) – using their RCAOB email address – this should not include personal telephone numbers: The Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and the National and Archdiocese's policies & procedures at all times. Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is [xxxxxxxx]. They can be contacted at: [safeguarding email address] or alternatively the Diocesan Safeguarding team can be contacted on 0121 230 6240/ [email protected] if you have any concern. Parish Noticeboard For the parish noticeboard, please print out and display the attached: • Safeguarding Statement• CSSA poster – Needs editing with PSR details and RCAOB email address – not personal phone number.• PSR Photo – optional• Safe Spaces poster• The Isaiah Journey guide Parish Website For the parish website, please include the following: • Safeguarding Statement• Link to Archdiocese safeguarding website• Safe Spaces statement and link to website• The Isaiah Journey - link to website
Parish Safeguarding Representatives Volunteers in our parishes and chaplaincies who support on safeguarding matters. Expand Parish Safeguarding Representatives are volunteers in our parishes and chaplaincies who support on safeguarding matters. They come from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. They ensure parishes and local communities are aware of the importance of protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults, and what is involved in promoting good practice. They support parishes in the safer recruitment of volunteers and ensuring that their parishes and communities and the activities they run are safe for everyone. Parish Safeguarding Representatives Mass, October 2022
Safeguarding Training Advice and training for groups and parishes. Expand All Parish Safeguarding Representatives have initial training in their role. We also offer advice and workshops/training for groups and parishes if they are requested - if your parish or group would like training, please let us know and we will try to meet your needs. In addition to this there is online training available, in the form of EduCare. If you have a role working with children, young people or adults who may be vulnerable, or if you are a parent who wants to understand on-line safety read the e-learning safeguarding brochure. This explains what training is available via e-learning and how to access any training that interests you. This e-learning package is part of the Church’s commitment to safeguarding, recognising we all have a role to play in creating a safe environment. Download Training Brochure Please email [email protected] if you are interested in accessing the online training providing your name, volunteer role and parish.
Safeguarding Trustee Sub-Committee Our work is overseen by a Safeguarding Trustee Sub-Committee which includes representatives from various organisations both Statutory and Voluntary. Expand Our work is overseen by a Safeguarding Trustee Sub-Committee which includes representatives from various organisations both Statutory and Voluntary, as well as those with roles in the Church. The Chair is Professor Deirdre Kelly. Members Professor Deirdre Kelly - Chair / Lead Safeguarding Trustee Vice Chair: vacant Canon Richard Walker - Vicar General Bishop David Evans David Sullivan - Parish Safeguarding Representative Sr Una Coogan- Religious Representatives: Graham Tilby – Birmingham Children’s Trust Police - vacant
Safeguarding Resources and Links Other agencies and services. Expand CSSA - Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency DBS - Disclosure and Barring Service IICSA - Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse NAPAC - National Association for People Abused in Childhood Religious Life Safeguarding Service - Religious Safeguarding Safe Spaces - Safe Spaces England and Wales Survivors Trust - The Survivors Trust Stop it Now A confidential helpline, live chat and secure messaging service for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and its prevention – whether they’re worried about their own thoughts, feelings and behaviour, or about another adult or young person. Stop it Now Clare’s Law This scheme gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. It is often called ‘Clare’s Law’ after the landmark case that led to it. This scheme also allows a member of the public to make an enquiry into the partner of a close friend or family member. West Midlands Police: Clare's Law Warwickshire Police: Clare's Law Staffordshire Police: Clare's Law Thames Valley Police: Clare's Law West Mercia Police: Clare's Law Sarah’s Law The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (CSODS) lets you formally ask the police whether someone who has contact with a child or children: has a record for child sexual (paedophile) offences poses a risk to the child or children for some other reason It's not a law, but it is sometimes called 'Sarah's Law'. It gives guidance on how you can ask us to use our existing police powers to share information about sex offenders. If you’re worried about someone’s behaviour towards a child, or something you've seen, heard or been told, you can use Sarah's Law to find out if that person is a risk. You must apply for information about a specific person and a specific child or children they spend time with. You cannot apply for general information about child sex offenders. Thames Valley Police: Sarah's Law Staffordshire Police: Sarah's Law West Midlands Police: Sarah's Law Warwickshire Police: Sarah's Law West Mercia Police: Sarah's Law