RCDOW Safeguarding News

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1 RCDOW Safeguarding News November 2015 Forward by Eva Edohen Safeguarding Co-ordinator for the Diocese of Westminster After being in post for 18 months I am pleased we are now in a position to re-launch the quarterly RCDOW Safeguarding Office newsletter. The newsletter is one of the many exciting developments which have taken place here in the central team and within safeguarding as a whole over recent times. The newsletter will give us the opportunity to share these with you on an ongoing basis and keep you updated on other relevant news. There will be regular features which will include training, DBS matters and a useful FAQ section. Going forwards we will also be focusing on a specific procedural topic in each edition so you are kept updated on the areas which may well impact on the valuable work which you do. I hope you find the newsletter of interest and a source of support. Let me know if you have any suggestions, comments or ideas for future issues. Regards, Eva Edohen Safeguarding Co-ordinator. I N S I D E T H I S I SSUE 1 Forward by Eva Edohen 1 Welcome 2 2 Training- E-Learning Training- CSAS Resource Area Welcome Newly appointed positions in the Safeguarding Team and a new CSAS Director Gabriele Sedda- PA to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, Commission Secretary and Team Administrator Gabriele is from Italy and worked for Catholic Charismatic Renewal UK as a Support Manager for its magazine Goodnews for the past 11 years. He is delighted to now be a part of the Safeguarding team. Rachel Haynes- Assistant to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator Rachel has been working in the safeguarding department under a number of different roles since June 2014 and has now been appointed as a permanent member of the team. Colette Limbrick- New Director for the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) Having qualified as a social worker in 1995, Colette started her professional career in a local authority social services department. In 1999 Colette moved to the NSPCC where she remained until As Assistant Director of the NSPCC Colette had responsibility for a range of service areas including advocacy, treatment/ assessment of adults accused/convicted of sexual abuse. Colette comes with a wealth of experience making her well placed to take CSAS forward. 2 Training- Safeguarding Conference Enquiries DBS Matters- E-Bulk DBS Matters- Legion of Mary FAQs Newsletter 1

E-Learning Safeguarding Training Essential training for you and your parish As you all know E-Learning is now launched and we have been pleased with the response!

2 E-Learning Safeguarding Training Essential training for you and your parish As you all know E-Learning is now launched and we have been pleased with the response! New CSAS Resource Area National Safeguarding Policies online CSAS have got a new Resource Area with accessible information about safeguarding guidance in the Catholic Church. These can be accessed via the following website: On the 30th of July 2015 the Diocese of Westminster, along with all other Diocese in England and Wales launched the online, free safeguarding training for all in the Catholic Church. This training was made possible from the collaboration between the NCSC (National Catholic Safeguarding Commission) and Educare. This is part of the Church s ongoing commitment to safeguarding. The modules available include: Safeguarding Conference 21 st of November 2015 Dear Parish Safeguarding Representatives, The RC Diocese of Westminster Safeguarding Commission would like to inform you of the 2015 Safeguarding Conference details. Please note the time and the date in your diaries as we would like to see as many of you as possible attending this event! Child Protection Child Protection in Education Child Exploitation & Online Safety Safeguarding Adults Mental Capacity Safeguarding Conference Saturday 21 st November 2015 To register for the training please safeguardingadmin@rcdow.org.uk with your name, parish and role. 9am-12pm Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue London SW1P 1QH Newsletter 2

3 Goddard Inquiry An Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales An independent investigation into child sexual abuse in England and Wales was announced by the Home Secretary on 7 July This inquiry came as a result of increasing reports of child sexual abuse in a number of institutions, including in the BBC, the NHS, in children s homes and in schools. The Inquiry offers an unprecedented opportunity to examine the extent to which institutions and organisations in England and Wales, including the Catholic Church, have taken seriously their responsibility to protect children. The inquiry has been divided into five main workstreams and each workstream will be led by a member of the Inquiry Panel. Prof. Malcolm Evans OBE will be leading the inquiry in the Education and Religion sector. Prof. Malcolm was awarded an OBE for services to the prevention of torture and the promotion of religious liberty in Cases involving the Catholic Church may also arise in the Local Authorities and Voluntary Organisations workstream which is being led by Prof. Alexis Jay OBE. The inquiry s work has also been divided into three Core Projects: The Research Project The Truth Project The Public Hearings Project You can find further reading about the Goddard Inquiry here: McLellen Report Eight key recommendations to Scotland's Catholic Bishops A review has taken place of the current safeguarding policies, procedures and practice within the Catholic Church in Scotland. The Inquiry was set up in November 2013 and the report was issued on the 18th of August 2015 which has made eight key recommendations: 1. Support for the survivors of abuse must be an absolute priority for the Catholic Church in Scotland in the field of safeguarding. The Bishops Conference of Scotland should make a public apology to all survivors of abuse within the Church. 2. The Awareness and Safety manual should be completely revised or rewritten. 3. There must be some external scrutiny and independence in the safeguarding policies and practices of the Catholic Church in Scotland. 4. Effectiveness and improvement must be measured at every level of safeguarding in the Church 5. A consistent approach to safeguarding is essential: consistent across different parts of Scotland and consistent across different parts of the Church. 6. Justice must be done, and justice must be seen to be done, for those who have been abused and for those against whom allegations of abuse are made. 7. The priority of undertaking regular high-quality training and continuous professional development in safeguarding must be understood and accepted by all those involved in safeguarding at every level. 8. The Catholic Church in Scotland must set out a theology of safeguarding which is coherent and compelling. Newsletter 3

4 DBS Matters E-Bulk DBS applications going online Legion of Mary How to process LOM Volunteers As you may know, DBS applications are moving from a paper system to an online system known as E-Bulk. The Diocese of Westminster is one of the early adopters in the Catholic Church for England and Wales. We are currently in the first stage of implementing the system where our DBS Administrator, Jackie Krobo, submits the paper DBS applications online. The next stage is to train you as our Parish Safeguarding Rep to be ID Verifiers for the E-Bulk system; this will make the whole process paperless as shown below. Due to the LOM not having a specific agreement with a particular Diocese, CSAS have asked that applications for LOM volunteers now be submitted under the role of parish ministry. The final decision of suitability will be the responsibility of the Diocesan Commissions and Bishops. As good practice, LOM members are expected to visit in twos and follow all proper Safeguarding procedures which can be found on the CSAS Resource Area website: We are looking to deliver the ID Verifier training using an online platform which is currently being developed. There will also be face to face training available of which the dates will follow. We will keep you updated on any developments. Safer recruitment process applicant would then be sent an with login details for CSAS Online Disclosures Applicant would complete an online DBS application and arrange an appointment to see an ID verifier to have ID Documents Verified ID Verifier would carry out verification online and submit the application to Diocesan Office for Countersignatory. Once countersigned, the application would be sent to DBS. Applicant would receive a Disclosure certificate via post and organisation would receive online confirmation of the result. Newsletter 4

5 CONTACT DETAILS: Safeguarding Coordinator: Name: Eva Edohen Phone: PA to Safeguarding Coordinator: Name: Gabriele Sedda Phone: Episcopal Vicar for Safeguarding: Name: Fr Jeremy Trood Phone: DBS Administrator: Name: Jackie Krobo Phone: Assistant to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator: Name: Rachel Haynes Phone: Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service Phone: Website: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q: Can the Parish Priest act as a reference for a new applicant? Q: Can I use my DBS certificate from my job as a teacher for my new role in the church as a Eucharistic Minister? A: You can only use a previous DBS check from a different registered body (not CSAS) if: A: No. We cannot accept references from your relatives or family members; your Parish Priest / Deacon or members of your Diocesan/Religious Safeguarding Team. Also, only 1 of the 2 required referees may be a member of the group/activity to which you are applying to work.. you have registered that certificate with the update service: the previous check is the same type of workforce and barred list needed i.e. child, adult or child and adult workforce (for the case of a Eucharistic Minister an adult workforce check is required instead of child workforce). Q: Do I need to provide ID for any change of name? A: Yes. Any names that you have previously had will need to be declared on the DBS form together with proof of ID for each one. A Self Declaration form, ID Verification Form and Volunteer application form with references would still need to be sent to the safeguarding office with the registered, relevant DBS number. Newsletter 5

6 RCDOW Safeguarding News

OPENING STATEMENT Executive Summary

OPENING STATEMENT Executive Summary Context of the Inquiry 1. On 12 March 2015, the Home Secretary established a statutory inquiry into the extent to which institutions in England and Wales have discharged