SAFEGUARDING
We are committed to the application of the Safeguarding standards and polices of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. This involves taking all reasonable steps to protect children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable to any form of abuse or maltreatment by promoting a safe environment.
Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency [CSSA]
The CSSA has been established to be responsible for driving and supporting improvements in practice in safeguarding. Primarily its role is coordinating, advising and providing expert support in respect of the broad remit of safeguarding children, young people and adults with vulnerabilities. To access the national safeguarding policies and procedures of the Catholic Church of England and Wales please follow this link: https://www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
RELIGIOUS LIFE SAFEGUARDING SERVICE
St Rita’s Centre belongs to the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS), an independent team of safeguarding professionals providing safeguarding support, advice, training and casework services to Religious Life Groups within the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Anyone who has a safeguarding concern, or who wants advice or support, can contact the Religious Life Safeguarding Service directly.
Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS)
Website: https://religioussafeguarding.org/
Telephone: 0151 5562 311
Email: safeguarding@religioussafeguarding.org
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. The Augustinian Recollects have a Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable adults (Safe Environments), to make enquiries or report possible cases of abuse please visit our Ethics Channel and fill the form.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese or religious organisation; (the relevant Diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the interactive map on the links page of the CSSA website https://www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk – contact details will be shown when you click on the relevant area of the map).
You can also contact CSSA by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
SAFE SPACES ENGLAND AND WALES
Safe Spaces England and Wales is a free, independent and confidential support service for adults who have experienced church-related abuse, including abuse linked to the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Adults affected by church-related abuse can contact Safe Spaces for emotional support, practical help and advocacy, whether the abuse happened recently or many years ago.
Safe Spaces England and Wales
Website: https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/
Telephone: 0300 303 1056
Email: SafeSpaces@Firstlight.org.uk
Opening times: Monday–Friday 9am–9pm, Saturday 9am–1pm, Sunday 1pm–5pm
If a child or adult is in immediate danger, please call 999.
