Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Thursday, August 21, 2008

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National Policiy Development

Much of the Work either embarked upon or finalised throughout 2007 was in relation to the new document 'Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities' - a handbook for all clergy, religious, paid and voluntary members, parishes, dioceses and associated organisations in the care, welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The Purpose of this Document:

The purpose of this document is to provide a set of policies for those who have a responsibility for the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults in the life of the Catholic Church in Scotland.
This document expresses the commitment of the Church to good practice in this area, including the development of effective structures for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, for responding to concerns or allegations of abuse and for providing pastoral supports and training.
This Awareness and Safety document should be used as a benchmark of requirements. The aim for all personnel, parishes, dioceses and associated organisations must be to make sure children and those adults who are vulnerable get the help they need when they need it and to achieve the best outcomes for those who need help, support and protection, in partnership with other agencies.
To date, the Church’s main focus has been safeguarding children and young people. However, as you may be aware, the support and protection of vulnerable adults has, in recent years, received much awaited attention.
New legislation extends the protection offered to Scotland’s children and introduces new protection for adults at vulnerable points in their lives. It builds on existing legislation, particularly the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 and Part V of the Police Act 1997.

The handbook 'Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities' was distributed to all diocesan team members, Bishops, Advisers, Link Co-ordinators for the Conference of Religious, Parish Priests, Parish Co-ordinators and SVDP Presidents at the beginning of 2008.

Throughout 2007 the National Co-ordinator/Diocesan training teams delivered training on Awareness and Safety for those who have a key responsibility for safeguarding

July 2008

Training

Development of a national training resource for volunteers was refined and completed at the end of 2007. The document was distributed to all dioceses in January 2008. A process of regular review and updating training materials will mean that in the future we will have a system for ensuring guidance being delivered is fully consistent with government guidance and legislation.

In addition, a Parish Co-ordinators training pack clearly defines the responsibilities for the individual who should take a lead role, along with the Parish Priest, to ensure that individuals involved in ministry with vulnerable groups are aware of and understand their responsibilities to provide the safest environment whilst involved in Church activities; this will be piloted during 2008.

Training opportunities for clergy, parish co-ordinators and volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults has been prioritised in many of the dioceses.

July 2008

Disclosure

The national policy on roles requiring Disclosure is fully documented in Section 3 of the manual 'Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities'.

Due to the diverse nature of parish work the National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Diocesan team members will continue to be involved in addressing queries about eligibility, criteria, role titles and volunteer status.

July 2008

Religious Congregations

Throughout 2007 and 2008 the Conference of Religious in Scotland and the National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults have embarked upon a series of regular events for the Link Co-ordinators. This programme has been extremely influential in disseminating the safeguarding message to congregations resident in Scotland.

The value of the Link Co-ordinators events has been evident in the self audit process 2007. Almost 100% returned forms and the quality of information on the form was a tribute to the Executive for the Conference of Religious and the National Office who made individual contact with the congregations subject to audit.

July 2008

2007 Self Audit

Building on the work following the 2006 Self Audit findings this year's Diocesan Audit indicated clear progress in terms of both understanding of national policies and procedures as well as a consistency of implementation.

The process of auditing in itself helps to raise awareness around the Church's safeguarding responsibilities.

The Conference of Religious in Scotland's first annual audit was completed indicating pleasing progress.

July 2008

Future Plans

In 2008 the National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults plans to continue the task of supporting the dioceses, religious congregations and associated organisations to work towards implementation of all policies approved by Conference in a number of ways:

The Co-ordinator will continue to attend and contribute to Diocesan Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Team meetings.

The self audit process will provide a system where an annual analysis of safeguarding issues will be delivered.

A newsletter from the National Office to improve communication on all aspects of Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult issues to an audience consisting of the laity and clergy of Scotland.

Liaison meetings with the Conference of Religious in Scotland that are fruitful and supportive will continue to ensure a 'one Church' approach.

A Trainers’ Forum which provides a vehicle for trainers to raise and address training issues and be instrumental in the development of training in general will meet towards the end of the year.

The National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults is represented in one of the Scottish Government Consultative groups advising on the secondary legislation for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, which will make wide reaching changes to the 'Disclosure' system for people working with children and vulnerable (or 'protected') adults.

The National Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults continues to liaise closely with the Scottish Church's Safeguarding Committee.

July 2008

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