St George's Cathedral strives to promote a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through the prayerful, caring, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic community, both individually and collectively.
St George's Cathedral Safeguarding
In line with the Catholic Church of England and Wales, St George’s Cathedral is committed to safeguarding. The welfare of children, young people and Adults at Risk is of paramount importance and that they have the right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. As a Parish we work hard to ensure that we create safe environments for all and we particularly welcome those that have been harmed by abuse and will offer pastoral care and signpost services and support where needed.
Parish Safeguarding Representatives (PSR’s)
Our PSR(‘s) have special responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults at risk. If you wish to contact
Contact Details
Nikki Rutherford | cathedralsg2@safeguardrcaos.org.uk
Reporting Abuse
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales 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 England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.
You can contact the Archdiocese of Southwark Safeguarding Office by telephoning 0207 261 1606 or via email at safeguardingoffice@rcaos.org.uk
Volunteers and Parishioners
Everyone who volunteers or works with children and/or vulnerable adults is required to complete safer recruitment, which includes a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they can start in their roles. Parish group leaders must refer new volunteers to the Parish Safeguarding Team, who then facilitate safer recruitment. All volunteers are also requested to complete an online safeguarding training module.
However, safeguarding is not just the responsibility of those who work or volunteer within the parish but is something we are all called to do. If you would like more information, please visit the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) Website catholicsafeguarding.org.uk. You are also welcome to access the training modules training.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
The Archdiocese of Southwark’s Safeguarding Website can be found at
www.rcaos.org.uk/mission/safeguarding/
The Archdiocese Safeguarding Policies
www.rcaos.org.uk/mission/safeguarding/safeguarding-policies/
Safe spaces
Safe spaces is a free national support service which offers confidential, personal, and a safe space for anyone who has been abused through their contact with either the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The Service continues to be independent of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales and provides trauma-informed information, emotional support and advocacy.
Helpline 0300 303 1056
Website www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm