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Safeguarding<br />
Protecting children and adults at<br />
risk from harm is a priority for the<br />
Archdiocese of <strong>Southwark</strong>. The<br />
Archdiocese is committed to the<br />
continual improvement of our<br />
safeguarding function across our<br />
parishes and communities. Central<br />
to this is to ensure that those that<br />
have been harmed by abuse,<br />
their families and supporters,<br />
receive a compassionate,<br />
responsive and caring service.<br />
The Archdiocese will continuously<br />
listen to those that have<br />
been harmed and work with<br />
statutory services to ensure<br />
robust safeguarding practices<br />
are embedded across the<br />
Archdiocese.<br />
“<br />
To ‘care for the other as a person for whom God has made<br />
us responsible’ is at the heart of the Church’s responsibility<br />
to safeguard all the people she encounters in the exercise of<br />
her mission, particularly those who are most at risk of abuse<br />
or exploitation in any form.” Mary-Jane Crowley, Head of Safeguarding<br />
There has been a restructuring of the national<br />
safeguarding strategic function in line with<br />
recommendations made by an external review<br />
commissioned by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.<br />
The Archdiocese of <strong>Southwark</strong> decommissioned<br />
their safeguarding commission and established the<br />
Safeguarding Sub-committee. The safeguarding trustee<br />
is the Chair of the Sub-committee. In line with the<br />
Charity Commission, both the Trustee body and the<br />
Sub-committee has the responsibility for the strategic<br />
oversight and responsibility for the safeguarding<br />
function within the Archdiocese. It monitors the<br />
Archdiocese and safeguarding team’s compliance with<br />
national policies and procedures and ensures that our<br />
statutory responsibilities and being met. The <strong>Southwark</strong><br />
Safeguarding team provides ongoing support, advice and<br />
guidance to ensure that the parishes and communities<br />
across the Diocese are safe spaces for all and in<br />
particular for those that are vulnerable due to their age,<br />
health or other reasons. The safeguarding team aim to<br />
support the ongoing development of safer environments<br />
within the Archdiocese. This is done through working<br />
in partnership with all our Clergy, Religious, Ordained<br />
Ministers, Parish Safeguarding Representatives (PSR) and<br />
volunteers. There is a comprehensive training schedule,<br />
support and active engagement with these groups, to<br />
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