Safeguarding

The Diocese of Lancaster has an experienced Safeguarding Committee and Case Advisory Group  who acts on behalf of the Bishop and Trustees to ensure that diocesan and national policies and good practice work to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults throughout the entire Diocese. The Safeguarding Office for the Diocese works closely with the Committee and Group in order to swiftly act on any report of abuse, whether physical, sexual or mental.

Moreover, our Parishes have at least one Safeguarding Representative who acts as a link between the Parish and the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator and is actively working to ensure good safeguarding practice in the Parish. No-one (lay or cleric) works alone (without another adult being present) with children and young people in our Parishes and all diocesan and national safeguarding policies and procedures are strictly followed.

Our Parish Safeguarding Representatives are required to engage with ongoing training on safeguarding policies so that they can better ensure that all volunteers in the parish who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults are equipt to do this and also have their DBS check at the appropriate level.

Useful Safeguarding Contacts:

Our Parish Safeguarding Representatives:

 ▪ For Carnforth: Peter Smalley

 ▪ For Bolton-le-Sands: Joanne Nicholson

 ▪ For Yealand: Anne Kopcke

Social Services

If you wish to discuss a safeguarding concern please contact your main Council Number and then tell the call-taker that you have a concern about the safety or well-being of a child or vulnerable adult and they will to transfer you to either Children’s Services or Adult Services.

The Police

Contact the mainline number for reporting crime in your area and ask the call-taker to transfer you to the appropriate unit. Always make sure you tell the call taker if your concern is about a vulnerable adult or a child. Police forces also have Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Units.

Other Safeguarding Links: (Our Parishes are not responsible for the content or updating of these external sites):

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
The Meeting for The Protection of Minors in the Church in Rome
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency
The Lancaster Safeguarding Committee and Office (The Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator)