Safeguarding Policy
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026
If a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 999 now.
Police — Emergency
999
If a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 999 immediately.
Police — Non-Emergency
101
To report a safeguarding concern that does not require an emergency response.
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
Free 24-hour advice and reporting line for anyone concerned about a child.
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
See Diocese Website
For concerns about a person in a position of trust (e.g. a volunteer or clergy). Contact the diocesan safeguarding office for LADO details.
Our Commitment
Safeguarding at Madonna Ministry
Madonna Ministry is committed to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults who are in contact with the parish in any capacity — whether attending Mass, participating in activities, receiving pastoral care, or engaging with parish volunteers and staff.
We follow the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, as implemented by our Diocese. All parish activities involving children and vulnerable adults operate within these frameworks, and all relevant volunteers and staff are DBS-checked and trained.
Safeguarding is not merely a legal requirement — it is a moral obligation rooted in the Church's profound respect for the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable.
Parish Safeguarding Representative
Named PSR
[PSR Name]
Parish Safeguarding Representative
The PSR is the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern in the parish. If you cannot reach the PSR, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser or the relevant statutory authority directly.
Diocesan Safeguarding Office
The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) provides specialist support to parishes and can advise on complex or historical cases. Contact details are available on the Diocesan website. The DSA is also the point of contact for concerns about clergy.
Diocesan Safeguarding Office: [Diocese Website]
DSA email: [DSA email to be provided by Diocese]
DSA telephone: [DSA phone to be provided by Diocese]
Framework
The Five Principles of Safeguarding
These principles guide all safeguarding practice at Madonna Ministry.
The Welfare of the Child or Vulnerable Adult is Paramount
In all decisions and actions, the welfare and safety of the individual at risk takes priority above all other considerations — including the reputation of the parish, the feelings of the alleged perpetrator, or the wishes of the person's family.
All People Have Equal Rights to Protection
Everyone has the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This applies to children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We make no exceptions.
We Listen to Those Who Share Their Concerns
When a child or vulnerable person shares a concern, we listen carefully, take it seriously, and act promptly. We do not dismiss, minimise, or investigate concerns ourselves — we refer them to the appropriate authorities.
We Work in Partnership with Statutory Authorities
We co-operate fully with the police, local authority social care, and the LADO. We do not conduct our own investigations into allegations. Our role is to refer, support, and co-operate.
We Create and Maintain a Culture of Safety
We take proactive steps to prevent harm through safer recruitment, mandatory training, and a clear code of conduct. All those who work with children or vulnerable adults in this parish are subject to these standards.
Standards
Code of Conduct Summary
All volunteers and staff working with children or vulnerable adults at Madonna Ministry are required to uphold the following standards.
- Treat all children and vulnerable adults with dignity, respect, and sensitivity at all times
- Never be alone with a child or vulnerable adult in an unsupervised private setting
- Never engage in physical contact beyond what is appropriate, proportionate, and necessary
- Never photograph or film children without explicit written parental consent
- Never share personal contact details with a child or young person through private channels
- Never use inappropriate, offensive, or sexual language in the presence of children or vulnerable adults
- Immediately report any safeguarding concern to the Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) without delay
- Maintain confidentiality, sharing information only on a need-to-know basis and in compliance with GDPR
- Disclose any previous criminal convictions, cautions, or investigations that may affect your suitability for a role
Safer Recruitment
All volunteers and paid staff who work regularly with children or vulnerable adults are required to:
- ✦Complete an application form and provide two references
- ✦Undergo an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
- ✦Attend the Diocese's mandatory safeguarding training before beginning their role
- ✦Attend annual safeguarding refresher training
- ✦Sign and abide by this Code of Conduct
DBS checks are renewed every three years. We participate in the DBS Update Service where possible.
Full Safeguarding Policy Document
The complete Madonna Ministry Safeguarding Policy is available as a PDF document. This includes all procedures for receiving a disclosure, reporting obligations, and the full code of conduct.
How to Report a Concern
If you have a concern about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult — or if a child or vulnerable adult has made a disclosure to you — please act promptly. Do not investigate the concern yourself. Do not promise confidentiality. Follow these steps:
- 1
Listen carefully and calmly. Do not promise to keep what you hear secret.
- 2
Write down exactly what was said or what you observed, noting the time, date, and any witnesses.
- 3
Contact the Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) without delay. If the PSR is unavailable or is the subject of the concern, contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.
- 4
If a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 999 first.
- 5
Do not contact the alleged perpetrator or discuss the concern with others unnecessarily.