Lord Jesus we praise you for calling us to the service of others.

We pray for a generosity of spirit
to ensure the vulnerable
are protected.

We pray for a compassionate heart so that we will reach out
to those who are wounded
by abuse.

We pray for courage and determination as we seek
the safety of everyone
in our parish communities.

We dedicate ourselves to this work of service and pray that
You will help us to do Your will
at all times and in all places.

Amen

BCOS: Publication of
IN GOD'S IMAGE v2 

"IN GOD'S IMAGE version 2 (IGIv2) 
has emerged from a 9-month period of consultation, reflection and discussion among many who have direct experience and expertise in the front line of the Church’s safeguarding practice. Significantly, this experience includes responding to the hurt and anguish of those who have suffered abuse at the hands of clergy, religious and others working within the Catholic Church.    IGIv2 makes reference to key statements made by Pope Francis and to instructions and norms published by the Holy See in recent years. It also takes into account evolving changes to the PVG scheme in Scotland. The work of the Independent Review Group and recommendations from independent audits of safeguarding in Scottish dioceses have also had a bearing on this revised version.  The final text of IGIv2 was ratified unanimously by the Bishops of Scotland at an online meeting held on Tuesday 6th July 2021.   It comes into effect on 8th September 2021, the feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER

https://bit.ly/3gQRdPu

DAY OF PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED ABUSE
Friday after Ash Wednesday:
19 February 2021

Prayers to be offered at home

 On this national Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse, the faithful are invited to join their prayers with those of the Catholic Church throughout Scotland for people in our families and communities who carry within themselves the deep and traumatic wounds of abuse in any way inflicted by the Church.

Please download/read the full text of the Liturgy by clicking on the Document link(s) below:

IN GOD’S IMAGE the Safeguarding Policy Manual of the Catholic Church in Scotland. We welcome online comments to improve our Safeguarding practice by 30 November 2020: (bit.ly/3cuTsnP) We want to hear from all interested in keeping children and vulnerable adults safe, above all from survivors or victims.  You can comment anonymously.
​​​​​​​To speak to someone directly, please email: IGI.Comments@bcos.org.uk or WRITE to: In God’s Image, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland 64 Aitken Street, AIRDRIE ML6 6LT. 

BCOS: Safeguarding

BCOS is publishing a series of newsletters that will provide information and advice on specific safeguarding matters.  They can be found on the BCOS website (click on link above).

The latest newsletter is available to read/download in the Documents section of this page
(click on the image below/see side column). 

All parishes must appoint a Parish Safeguarding Coordinator (PSC) who is able to work competently and professionally with the Parish Priest. Some parishes wisely appoint more than one PSC.  The main function of the PSC is to ensure that recruitment procedures are followed and that volunteers attend training.
An important activity is to assist in the annual Parish Audits.  Essentially PSCs must be skilled in knowing what to do
to prevent abuse or harm and also how to act if there is
a disclosure of concern or current/non-recent abuse.

ST. CADOC'S PARISH CO-ORDINATORS:
Jo Mackie and Deborah Manini

REPORTING ABUSE:
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police if
a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in Scotland to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in Scotland, you must refer allegations directly to the Safeguarding office for your Diocese or Religious Congregation.
If you are a member of the public, you should refer allegations directly to the Police and also to the Safeguarding office in your Diocese (see contact details above).
You can also contact the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service (SCSS) by telephoning 0141 332 7177 or by email at contact@scsafeguarding.org.uk

Mrs Mary Kearns                                Mrs Sarah Jane Colhoun

Safeguarding Advisor                              Safeguarding Administrator

07939486290                                     0141 847 6138
safeguardingadvisor@rcdop.org.uk              safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk
                                                            

The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service requires each Diocese to prepare an audit of Safeguarding practice and procedures on an annual basis.This is completed at diocesan and parish level. Parish Priests are supported in this task by the Parish's Safeguarding Coordinators.
 

To read/download the latest
Annual Parish Safeguarding Announcement (October 2021)
see Documents - side column.
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SCSSA

Church establishes new independent Safeguarding agency

2 October 2021

The Catholic Church in Scotland has announced the creation of a new independent Safeguarding agency. Speaking at the end of a national Safeguarding webinar which attracted 450 participants from across Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, announced the establishment of a new body –
the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) as an independent
private company.

Speaking to the webinar participants, Bishop Hugh Gilbert said: “The SCSSA will operate entirely independently of the Church and will have its own staff and Board of Management who will work in close collaboration with dioceses and religious communities to ensure that they are able to meet national safeguarding standards. It will also develop a process that will provide an independent review of complaints about safeguarding practice and crucially, establish a forum in which those who have experienced abuse can contribute their own perspectives to the development of safeguarding.”  Bishop Hugh added: “We will shortly commence the recruitment process for the Chair and members of the Board of Management, followed by the recruitment of a Director and a Head of Safeguarding Training. It will take some time to establish the new agency and we ask for your patience and support while that process is underway.” 

THE PREVALENCE OF COVID AND THE SUBSEQUENT RESTRICTIONS
HAVE IMPACTED ON SCHEDULES.
NEW DATES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN DUE COURSE. 

For the attention of ALL CHURCH VOLUNTEERS with PVG CERTIFICATES:

The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group has recommended that all volunteers doing regulated work with children and vulnerable adults, or both, should complete the Safeguarding Training Induction Part 1 (formerly known as Level 1) and, with the agreement of Bishop John, this will now be implemented as Diocesan policy. 

Please contact Sarah Jane at the Diocesan Safeguarding Office safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk or 0141 847 6138 to register for a training session.  There will be limited space at each session, therefore volunteers should register up to one week before the date of the training session.

Safeguarding Training for Church Volunteers – Part One

As part of the safe recruitment procedures for the Catholic church in Scotland, new volunteers undertaking regulated work should complete an application form for their role, apply to become a member of the PVG scheme and attend Safeguarding Part One Training. 

CHURCH VOLUNTEERS with PVG Certificates or pending PVG Certificates:  
Volunteers doing or planning to do regulated work with children and vulnerable adults or both, should complete the Safeguarding Training, Induction Part 1. 

Safeguarding Training Part 2 

The Safeguarding Part 2  Training session, is for volunteers who have previously attended Safeguarding Training Part One, or Safeguarding Training Level one, more than 18 months ago.  If you attended Safeguarding Training Level One in 2016 or 2017, you should put your name forward for Safeguarding Training Part 2.  

Please contact Sarah Jane at the Diocesan Safeguarding office safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk
or 0141 847 6138 to register. 

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Publication of In God’s Image v.2
'In God’s Image' - the document which is an 'Instruction on Safeguarding' from the Bishops of Scotland to all Catholic jurisdictions in Scotland - was published in March 2018 initially for a three-year period. The Bishops are now preparing for the publication of version 2 of this document to reflect any significant Safeguarding developments that have occurred since first publication. The intended publication date is June 2021. Until then, 'In God's Image' V1 will remain valid.

BCOS personnel - employees,  volunteers and others acting on behalf of BCOS and it agencies - must have a working knowledge of, and act in accordance with, the guidance provided in the following policy papers:

https://www.bcos.org.uk/Policies/tab
id/126/Default.aspx

Scotland: Former judge to lead new independent safeguarding agency
Dec 9th, 2021
Lady Rita Rae - Image GUCA
Source: SCMO   

The Catholic Church in Scotland has appointed The Hon Lady Rita Rae QC as the first Board Chair of the new Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) which will operate as a private company. Lady Rae will begin to recruit SCSSA Board Members in January 2022.

The SCSSA will operate entirely independently of the Catholic Church, with its own staff and non-executive directors who will work in close collaboration with dioceses and religious communities to ensure that they are meeting safeguarding standards. Crucially, it will develop a forum in which those who have experienced abuse can contribute their own perspectives to the development of the Church's safeguarding practice.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert (President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland) said: "When considering a number of possible candidates for this important post, the Bishops were united in their view that the SCSSA Board Chair must be able to act with impartiality, integrity and freedom from interference. We immediately recognised that Lady Rae's prestigious legal career, and her reputation as a recent Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, offered great testimony to the rigour and the independence with which she will approach this role. We are delighted that she has accepted this appointment."

Lady Rita Rae said: "I am honoured to undertake this role as the first Board Chair of the SCSSA. I recognise that, in establishing this independent agency, the Catholic Church in Scotland is taking another bold step to ensure that its safeguarding practice is meeting the highest standards. I intend to ensure that the agency will operate with independence and that it will seek to rebuild confidence and trust, especially among those who have experienced abuse. I look forward to recruiting fellow Board members who will bring rigour, independence and expertise to the work of the agency."

More details available via document's link - "Safeguarding Matters" December 2021 - side column.

Further details also available at: UK & Ireland | ICN (indcatholicnews.com)