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Home >> Safeguarding >> Introduction

Introduction

​National Safeguarding Structure

The Catholic Church in England & Wales has established new structures to take forward the work of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults following the recommendations of the
Cumberlege Commission Report, “Safeguarding with Confidence.”
 

​The National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC)

NCSC is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Church’s safeguarding policy and monitoring compliance. Mandated by the Conference of Bishops and Conference of Religious (CoR), it will ensure that standards are met and policies are implemented.

NCSC comprises of an independent lay chair, a Bishop and a member of CoR as vice chairs, representation from the Conference of Bishops, Conference of Religious and Chairs of Commissions, a Parish Priest/Canon Lawyer as well as four lay members, recruited for relevant expertise in the field of safeguarding and the criminal justice system.
 
You can contact NSCS by writing to:
National Catholic Safeguarding Commission
c/o CSAS
39 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1BX

Telephone 0207 901 1920
 

The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS)

CSAS reports to and provides expert advice to the NCSC on safeguarding matters. It oversees and co-ordinates safeguarding training, ensuring that the Church’s policies on safeguarding are kept up to date with good practice and are accessible to people at all levels in the Church. CSAS is responsible for driving and supporting improvements in safeguarding practice.
 
CSAS is the point of liaison with other national organisations – both safeguarding units in other Churches and secular organisations concerned with safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, including government.
 
CSAS is the registered body for the DBS.
 
CSAS is located within the Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, one of the Departments of the Bishops Conference. An appointed member of CoR is a member of the Department to ensure they can play a full role in delivering a one Church approach.
Being located within this Department provides peer support for the Director of CSAS, encourages cross discussion of ideas and work to ensure safeguarding is part of the mainstream activity within the Church.
 
CSAS reports and is accountable to the Bishops Conference and Conference of Religious through the NCSC.
 
CSAS can be contact by writing to:
39 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1BX

Telephone 0207 901 1920
 

Liverpool Safeguarding Commission

The role of the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Commission: (Administered by the Safeguarding Department) is:
 
  • To ensure that clergy and volunteers are made aware of the agreed procedures contained in the parish resource pack and that they are implemented in each parish.
  • To advise the Archbishop on child safeguarding issues.
  • To ensure that clergy and volunteers are made aware of the agreed procedures contained in the parish resource pack and that they are implemented in each parish.
  • To enquire into any allegation of or concern for inappropriate behaviour or actual abuse of  children or vulnerable adults by any person working for the Archdiocese either paid or voluntary, and to liaise with the statutory authorities.
  • To ensure that there is appropriate pastoral care and support for victims and those against whom allegations have been made. 
 The Diocesan Commission is accountable to the Bishop and Trustees of the Diocese.
 
Membership:
                                     
Chairperson: Dr Margaret Goddard
Vicar General and Trustee: Rev Canon Thomas Neylon  
Ms Ann Hennessy (Parish Safeguarding Representative)
Denise Malcolm (Merseyside Police)
Jackie Walsh (Merseyside Probation)
Mr Martin Sandeman (Catholic Blind Institute)
Ms Julie Knowles (Alder Hey Hospital)
Rev Andrew Burns (Religious Order Representative)
Rev Aidan Kelly (Clergy Representative)
Sandra Morgan (Nugent Care)
Helen Burgess (Nugent Care)
 
The Chair of the Commission can be contacted by writing to:
C/o Safeguarding Department
LACE
Croxteth Drive
Sefton Park
Liverpool
L17 1AA