Safeguarding

Our commitment to safeguarding

Arundel & Brighton is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people, and adults at risk within our parishes and communities. We follow the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) framework and are committed to meeting all six of its standards.

We believe that everyone has a role in keeping children and adults at risk safe, and that safeguarding is not the sole responsibility of a designated officer.

The structure

Each parish in Arundel & Brighton has a named Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) who is the first point of contact for any concern raised at parish level. The PSR is supported by and accountable to the Diocesan Safeguarding Office.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Office coordinates safeguarding across the diocese, maintains oversight of all referrals, and is the point of contact for statutory agencies. The office can be reached through your parish office or the diocesan website.

How to raise a concern

If you are worried about a child, young person, or adult at risk:

1. Speak to your Parish Safeguarding Representative in the first instance. Their details are available from the parish office.
2. If you cannot reach the PSR, or if you prefer to speak directly with the diocese, contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Office through the diocesan website or your parish office.
3. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact the police by calling 999 without delay.

You do not need to be certain that harm is occurring to raise a concern. Concerns raised in good faith are always taken seriously.

Statutory referrals

Where a concern indicates that a child or adult at risk may be at risk of harm, Arundel & Brighton will refer the matter to the relevant statutory authority (local authority children's or adult services, or the police) in line with our legal obligations and the CSSA framework. The welfare of the individual always comes first.

Training and safer recruitment

All parish workers and volunteers who have contact with children or adults at risk are required to complete safeguarding training at a level appropriate to their role, and to be recruited in line with our safer recruitment procedures, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable.

Further information

This policy is reviewed annually. For the full diocesan safeguarding policy and procedures, contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Office. Guidance on the CSSA framework is available at www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.