Our Safeguarding Culture of Care

“What we now call safeguarding – how we keep all, especially children and vulnerable adults, safe within our Catholic community - comes from the very heart of God’s love made incarnate in his Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord.”

(In God's Image V2)

Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland are determined to ensure that there is public confidence in the arrangements for Safeguarding in Catholic parishes, religious communities and organisations throughout Scotland. Having learned from the Church's past failings and omissions, in 2011 the Bishops established the McLellan Commission to review Safeguarding practice throughout the Catholic Church in Scotland. Following publication of the commission's report in 2015, the Bishops committed to implementing its recommendations.

One key action was the publication of IN GOD'S IMAGE as an 'Instruction', directing the approach to Safeguarding which must be followed in every Catholic diocese in Scotland. It was first published in May 2018 for a 3-year 'ad experimentum' period to give time for its effectiveness to be tested. In November 2020 views were sought on the changes required to reflect new guidance from the Holy See, evolving legislation and, above all, experience of its use. IN GODS IMAGE version 2 was published on 8th September 2021.

For more information about the Church's Safeguarding approach, visit the website of the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.

IN GOD'S IMAGE V2

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Supporting Survivors

"Survivors of abuse of any form deserve the greatest care and respect. Their courage in coming forward to disclose their experience to personnel within the Church can never be underestimated. So, Church personnel must take care to provide an immediacy of response (as well as sensitive care) to anyone who wishes to talk about the harm they have suffered." (Bishops of Scotland, In God's Image, page 34)

Survivors can click here to find out more about the support provided by the Church.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUPPORT

Independent Safeguarding Reports

On the recommendation of the Independent Review Group, a series of independent audits of safeguarding practice in all eight Scottish Dioceses was commissioned from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Reports on the audits can be found below.