Creating a Safer Environment

We believe that all people should be valued, supported, and protected from harm, and we recognise the personal dignity and rights of vulnerable people towards whom the church has a responsibility.

The Diocese of Salford and its individual members will undertake appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and keep them safe from harm. This is demonstrated by the provision of carefully planned activities for children, young people and adults, caring for those hurt by abuse, and robustly managing and ministering to those who have caused harm.

What does it mean to create a safer environment?

In this subsection, you will find some guidance that covers areas of Church activities and examples of areas to look at when creating a safer environment.

• Ensure every person, in paid and voluntary roles, involved in regulated activities with children, young people, and adults at risk, have been safely vetted and recruited, including DBS checks and, where appropriate, overseas checks. Click here for more info.

• Code of conduct for all clergy document: Caring Safely For Others

• Parish Safeguarding Representatives (PSRs) to routinely receive/request Parish DBS reports to review the DBS status of all volunteers and update the 3-year check on volunteers.

• Parishes to provide information on how to refer concerns and allegations to parishioners and public members using church premises. Parishes should have safeguarding posters displayed on the parish notice board with the PSR name and the safeguarding diocesan email account.

• A safeguarding space will be available at the parish where all relevant safeguarding information will be displayed, e.g. alpha cards, leaflets and newsletters.

• The Whistleblowing Policy is available to everybody to encourage anyone with serious concern to raise them without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination or disadvantage.

Church premises and activities will be secure, accessible, and welcoming

All the below can be found in Chapters 3 & 4 – Creating a Safer Environment – guidance of the CSSA website

• Risk Assessment:  – when planning a new activity or reviewing one that either takes place on or away from church premises, the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk.

• Supervision and Adult: Child Ratios – a general guide for minimum supervision ratios and factors to take into consideration.

• Photography and Filming: use of photography and filming must be followed, considering data protection requirements.

• Code of Conduct for Leaders and Helpers: scope of expectations that can be amended according to your Parish setting/activity.

• Code of Conduct for Children and Young People:  to help create a positive experience for children and young people, learn and grow in faithfulness in a safe and positive environment.

• Use of Social Media: Guidance on the appropriate use of personal social media accounts, phone numbers or email addresses to contact children and young people.

• Live Streaming of the Mass: – congregations should be told in advance (notice board and announcements) to address potential safeguarding issues.

• Parish Priest and parish administrators to be familiar: Hiring arrangements for church premises

Further forms can be found by clicking this link.