Please note, the advice that follows is based upon RLSS and CSSA policies and procedures. However, due to the unique nature of Religious Life Groups and the wide variety of Ministries served, you may have slightly different internal procedures that your Safeguarding Policy will make reference to.

The CSSA encourages the use of their flowchart to help anyone receiving a disclosure know the due processes that they expect members to follow:

The CSSA Policy entitled Management of Allegations and Concerns gives very clear guidelines about the expectations for responding to allegations quickly and competently. There is also a formal template (Form CM1), on which all relevant information, starting with the initial disclosure through to action taken and referrals made, can be recorded.

The RLSS Safeguarding Policy guidance for internal reporting is as follows:

• If an RLG staff member becomes aware of a safeguarding issue, you must contact either the Head of RLG or Safeguarding Lead and pass the concern and all records of it over to them. Ensure the person who made you aware of the issue knows you are doing this.
• The Safeguarding Lead will be responsible for liaising with the Religious Life Safeguarding Service Safeguarding Team (RLSS) or Diocese Safeguarding Co-ordinator, to agree who will:
  • Ensure the victim/survivor or individual has been informed of the next steps
  • Explain what will happen and within what timescale
  • Contact any relevant bodies  
  • Fill in the relevant safeguarding paperwork and ensure appropriate record keeping of all phone calls, meetings and discussions in relation to the case
• When the issue raised needs to be reported, the individual raising the issue must be informed that the information will not be kept confidential and that the details will be passed on to police and any other appropriate body/authority. Staff should be supportive of the individual making the disclosure but should not seek more details than necessary, for an initial statutory referral. If the referrer and/or victim/survivor wishes to remain anonymous this will be respected, except when it jeopardises the welfare of an individual and then consent to anonymity would be waived.                                                                                                 

When to Report:

• Allegations or safeguarding concerns – when abuse is suspected, witnessed or a disclosure of abuse is received by RLG staff, there is a requirement to report these allegations of abuse and any other relevant safeguarding concerns, to the appropriate statutory authority, including social services/Police, within 1 working day.
• In the case of an emergency – if a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires medical attention, the relevant emergency service must be contacted via 999. Social services should also be contacted at the earliest opportunity, in the case of a child or vulnerable adult.
• In the case of a non-emergency – in a situation where there is no immediate risk to a child or vulnerable adult and no requirement to make a statutory report, the RLG, RLSS or Diocese Safeguarding Co-ordinator will work with the individual, to agree desirable outcomes in line with this policy.

In accordance with article 19 of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, “Vos Estis Lux Mundi”, 7 May 2019, it is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report to the statutory authorities, all allegations of abuse made against those working in the name of the Church, regardless of whether the allegations or concerns relate to a person’s behaviour in relation to their role within the Church, or another setting. This policy must be applied in all situations where it is alleged, or there are reasonable grounds to believe, that a member of the Religious Community, lay persons, or associated volunteer or employee, has acted in one of the following ways:

•Has behaved in a way that has harmed or is likely to have caused harm to a child or a vulnerable adult. This would include any vulnerable adult irrespective of the cause of that vulnerability or whether the vulnerability is temporary or permanent.

•Has or is suspected to have committed a criminal offence against or related to a child or a vulnerable adult (including a vulnerable adult as indicated above).

•Has behaved towards a child or vulnerable adult in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults

•Has behaved in a way or made statements indicating that they may not be suitable to work with children or vulnerable adults.

•Has behaved in such a way that, by actions or omissions, their conduct has been intended to interfere with, prejudice, undermine or avoid a criminal, civil or canonical investigation, against any person associated with or a member of a contracting congregation.

It is also the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report to statutory authorities where a child or an adult is at immediate risk of harm, or there is concern that a child or adult is suffering or is likely to be suffering from significant harm, from somebody who does not hold a role within the Church. This includes, but is not limited to:

•Someone who is at serious risk of harm from self or others

•Someone who poses a serious risk of harm to someone else

•Concerned about a child or vulnerable adult at risk of harm from someone else

•Concerns over someone’s mental capacity

When the issue raised needs to be reported, the individual raising the issue must be informed that the information will not be kept confidential and that the details will be passed on to police and any other appropriate body/authority. Staff should be supportive of the individual making the disclosure but should not seek more details than necessary, for an initial statutory referral. If the referrer and/or victim/survivor wishes to remain anonymous this will be respected, except when it jeopardises the welfare of an individual and then consent to anonymity would be waived.

If you are in any doubt at anytime it is the role of the RLSS to help and guide you so please contact us without delay.