Parish Safeguarding Representative

Every Parish within the Diocese should have a Safeguarding representative, who has voluntarily undertaken the role. The representative has responsibility for raising awareness of safeguarding aims, policies and procedures and also promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults at risk within the parish community.

The representative also provides the link between the parish and the wider team and as such is in regular contact with the Safeguarding Manager.

Each representative attends training sessions and has a sound knowledge of the policies and procedures ensuring they are implemented and consistently adhered to.

The representative is involved in the recruitment of people to roles within the parish and has the responsibility for facilitating the DBS Disclosure procedure at parish level; ensuring that everybody who is required to go through the procedure does so.

The representative actively promotes engaging with children and adults at risk within the parish whilst safeguarding all those involved.

Main Responsibilities

1. To promote and raise awareness of the aims and policies of the Safeguarding Commission.
2. To implement and maintain the policies and procedures of the Safeguarding Commission.
3. To keep up to date with information regarding the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, attending relevant training/meetings.
4. To work with the local parish priest and the wider safeguarding community to ensure activities are supported and implemented in the best way possible.
5. To manage and maintain records of all “under 18s” and “adult at risk” activities within the parish, including details of those who run them.
6. To ensure that any person involved in the above is aware and supportive of the safeguarding policies and procedures and consistently adheres to them.
7. To ensure all those who use church facilities for example choirs, youth groups, brownies, dance classes etc. are aware of the need to keep children and adults at risk ‘Safe in Our Care’ by adhering to Safeguarding policies and procedures

Person Specification

1. Commitment to keeping children ‘Safe in Our Care’
2. Commitment to the Catholic/Christian principles of the parish
3. Willingness to attend meetings/training if appropriate
4. Ability to relate well to children and adults.
5. Commitment to confidentiality
6. Good organisation skills
7. Good listening skills
8. Ability to work as part of a team
9. Ability to build relationships with a wide variety of people

Do you know the name of your Safeguarding Representative?

If not please check the Parish notice boards for details or ask your parish priest.