Safeguarding Policy
The Holy Family Sisters of St Emilie is committed to promoting the highest standards of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
If you have a present concern about the welfare of a child or an adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger of harm.
It is the policy of the Sisters of the Holy Family of St Emilie to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care from physical, sexual or emotional harm. Our Sisters undertake to do all in their power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom they come into contact in the course of their pastoral ministries, either in workplaces or in our houses. A safe environment involves a place where any kind of physical, sexual or emotional abuse is not tolerated.
We commit ourselves to recognising the personal dignity and individual rights of each child, young person or vulnerable adult. Each one has the God given right to the best care, protection, love, encouragement and respect that we can give.
The congregation is committed to working within the safeguarding standards adopted by the Catholic Church in England and Wales, as articulated and audited by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and supported by training and advice from the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS).
The CSSA (www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk) holds a regulatory function extending to all Catholic dioceses and Religious Life Groups. It monitors compliance by Church bodies with the safeguarding standards adopted by the Church, using its own independent audit and review function and is empowered to undertake its role as a regulator through the freely entered into contractual relationships between it and the Church bodies it provides a service to. Through this, the CSSA has the powers to ensure that each Church body partnered with it, is complying with the published standards.
The RLSS (www.religioussafeguarding.org) is an independent team of safeguarding professionals offering safeguarding services including training, case management, administration, advice and support to the Religious of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
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.
Our Safeguarding Lead is Ms Theresa Blythin, she may be contacted as follows:
Holy Family Convent
35-36 Albert Square
LONDON
SW8 1BZ
+44 207 7735 4751
theresa.hfe@outlook.com
Other safeguarding contacts
Safe Spaces England and Wales
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Catholic Church in England and Wales. www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Catholic Bishops
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales www.cbcew.org.uk/safeguarding