PARISH SAFEGUARDING REPRESENTATIVES

We are keen to increase the number of volunteers involved in this key safeguarding role. The role entails the promotion of good and safe practices in all activities involving vulnerable people within your parish, supported by the Church’s national policies. You will help to facilitate the safer recruitment of those working with vulnerable people, including the completion of the DBS disclosure process as well as acting as a point of contact for concerns to be shared and a link between the Diocese and the parish.

Testimonials

We were recently advised by one of our current Parish Safeguarding Representatives that when they saw an advert in their parish newsletter regarding the recruitment of a new representative, they were really drawn to the role and felt they were called to apply. Until that time, they had not been involved in the parish besides attending Mass, however, through their new role, despite having a busy lifestyle with a young family and working, they have enjoyed getting to know others in their Catholic community. Our representative also shared with us that they feel blessed to have the position and feel they get a lot out of the role!

Another representative also agreed that the role has assisted them in getting to know other parishioners and reflected how they are always learning something with support from the diocesan safeguarding team noted as being invaluable.

SAFEGUARDING ADVISORY BOARD

The Safeguarding Advisory Board (SAB) provides independent and professional advice and expertise to the Diocesan safeguarding department and the Safeguarding Subcommittee. If you have current professional safeguarding knowledge and expertise to enable the board to fulfil its purpose, then you would be an ideal candidate. We are particularly keen to recruit a new member with experience working within the criminal justice system.

Testimonials

We would like to share recent feedback received from one of our members, in their capacity as the Senior Service Delivery Manager of Voice Northants, who joined the board to offer the victim’s voice in the review of safeguarding work completed across the diocese. The board member reflected that they feel their opinion and support within the process has been valued and trusted. 

Another member views their role as supporting a necessary service, to offer guidance, advice and comment where appropriate to the safeguarding office, bishop and his diocesan trustees. It is seen as an opportunity to make use of their experience in education and elsewhere in seeking justice for survivors and victims of abuse. It is recognised that news of abuse in the Church worldwide has been and continues to be a source of great shame to the Church and also of great and lasting hurt to survivors and victims. Although the member comments that they have found their role to be very difficult at times, they have persisted in the hope of supporting in a small way a safer Church.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member, please contact Danielle Dixon. For further information, please refer to the Safeguarding Structure page, terms of reference are available.

NORTHAMPTON HEALING AND RECONCILIATION GROUP

The Healing and Reconciliation group is a sub-group of the SAB, formed in 2019 as part of the Diocese’s aspiration to improve the way that we respond to and engage with those who have been hurt by abuse. The essence of the group has included a desire to raise greater awareness of abuse, increase understanding of its impact upon those affected and to work towards creating a safer and more compassionate environment for anyone seeking comfort and healing. For further information please refer to the Resources for Victims and Survivors page. 

The group is particularly keen to welcome members with lived experience of abuse. If you think that you might want to consider helping us in our work, whether as a group member or less formally as an advisor, then please contact Danielle Dixon, the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator.to find out more details. Terms of reference are available. The following leaflet provides an overview about group and its work Healing and Reconciliation Group