Safeguarding in our Parish

Safeguarding Contact Numbers

  • If you wish to report a SAFEGUARDING concern in our parish, please contact one of these numbers:

Diocesan Office   –   01698 269114     National Safeguarding Information Line   –   0141 353 1177.

  • If you with to make contact with someone about Safeguarding procedures in our Parish, please contact the Parish House – Telephone 0141 647 6034 or email stcolumbkille@btconnect.com.

The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness and well-being of each individual person within God's purpose for everyone. It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in whatever capacity with the Church and its organisations.  As a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members, to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of children, young people and adults at risk.
- Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities 2007

Lord Jesus we praise you for calling us to the service of others.
We pray for a generosity of spirit to ensure the vulnerable are protected.
We pray for a compassionate heart so that we will reach out to those who are wounded by abuse.
We pray for courage and determination as we seek the safety of everyone in our parish communities.
We dedicate ourselves to this work of service and pray that you will help us to do your will at all times and in all places.
Amen

The protection of children and all those who are vulnerable is everyone’s responsibility.  The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland established the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service (SCSS) to ensure the development, co-ordination and review of safeguarding policy and practice across the Church.  Our parish fully subscribes to the policies and procedures contained within the “Awareness and Safety in our Catholic Communities” manual produced by SCSS.  You can find out more about the policies and procedures here.

In St Columbkille’s parish, we warmly welcome and fully appreciate the contributions made by all those who volunteer, in whatever way, through various Ministries and Groups, to enhance the spiritual and temporal life of our Parish.  In February 2011, the Scottish Government introduced a new membership scheme to replace and improve upon the previous disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups.  The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme helps to ensure that those who have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults through paid or unpaid work, do not have a history of harmful behaviour.

Every parish has a Safeguarding Co-ordinator.  The main role of the co-ordinator is to support the Parish Priest to ensure that all policies approved by the Bishop’s Conference of Scotland are effectively and appropriately implemented in the Parish.  Our co-ordinator is Frances Watson.  In line with the Safeguarding Procedures and Practices of the Catholic Church, and through the Diocesan Safeguarding Administrator, our own Parish Co-ordinator has ensured that all adults working with children and vulnerable adults in our Parish are PVG Scheme members.