Our Safeguarding Co-Ordinator in Saint Mungo's is Ann Jane Malloy

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

AWARENESS & SAFETY IN OUR

CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES

A Summary of Good Practice

for

Paid and Voluntary Workers

National Information Line: 0141 353 1177

2007

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

YOU MUST………

1. Treat all children, young people and vulnerable adults with respect.

2. Provide an example of good conduct you wish others to follow.

3. Ensure that there is more than one adult present during your organisation’s

activities with children, young people or vulnerable adults or at least that

you are within sight or hearing of others. If this is not possible then the

reasons should be recorded.

4. Respect an individual’s right to personal privacy.

5. Be available as a listening ear and if necessary refer for more appropriate

help.

6. Try to remember that your actions may be interpreted differently from your

intention.

7. Be aware that even caring physical contact with a child, young person or

vulnerable adult may be misinterpreted.

8. Show understanding when dealing with sensitive issues.

9. Seek advice in any situation where you feel unsure.

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

YOU MUST NOT………

1. Have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others.

2. Permit abusive behaviour such as bullying, ridiculing or taunting.

3. Make suggestive or derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children,

young people or vulnerable adults.

4. Allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour

such as “crushes”.

5. Show favouritism to any individual.

6. Jump to conclusions about others without checking the facts.

7. Exaggerate or trivialise abuse issues.

____________________________________

“As a Church community we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us,

ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members, to work together to

prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children,

young people and vulnerable adults.”

From the Church’s ‘Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities’ National Safeguarding Policies 2007

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

WHAT TO DO………

If you suspect a child, young person or vulnerable adult is being

abused physically, sexually or emotionally –

Share your concerns with the head of your group/organisation, the Priest or the

Diocesan Adviser.

If a child, young person or vulnerable adult discloses to you abuse by

someone else -

1. Keep calm, don’t be shocked and try to act normally.

2. Accept what the individual says.

3. Offer immediate support, understanding and reassurance, explaining that

you cannot keep it a secret.

4. Reassure the child, young person or vulnerable adult that they have done

the right thing by telling you.

5. Let them know that you need to talk to someone else. Do not promise

them confidentiality.

6. Let the person speak freely. Do not push for information.

7. Let them know what you are going to do next and that you will let them

know what happens.

In all cases –

Record everything that was said, including dates and times of conversation and

any incidents disclosed.

Your must refer. You must not investigate.