Safeguarding

Every human being has a value and dignity which we in the Church and as Salesians acknowledge as coming from God's creation of male and female in his own image and likeness. This implies a duty to value all people and to support them and protect them from harm.

The Salesians of Don Bosco are committed to observe the Safeguarding Policies of the Catholic Church in England, Wales and Scotland in line with the standards, policies and procedures enunciated by Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA), believing that every child, young person and adult at risk has a right to expect the highest level of care, protection, love, encouragement and respect.

Reporting abuse

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England, Wales and Scotland 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.

If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England, Wales, and Scotland you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.

If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese; the relevant diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the interactive map on the links page of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) website www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk. Contact details will be shown when you click on the relevant area of the map. You can also contact CSSA by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.

If your safeguarding concern is about a Salesian work or context please contact the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) at Safeguarding@religioussafeguarding.org (Phone No. 0151 556 2311) or the Safeguarding Lead at the Salesian Provincial Office, Thornleigh House, Sharples Park, Bolton, BL1 6PQ safeguarding@salesians.org.uk

Fr Mervyn Williams SDB
Safeguarding Officer
Thornleigh Salesian House
Sharples Park
Bolton
BL1 6PQ

Telephone (Provincial Office) +44 (0) 1204 600 720

Email safeguarding@salesians.org.uk

If you are unhappy with the communications you have received from the safeguarding officer, then you may contact:

Fr Bob Gardner
Thornleigh Salesian House
Sharples Park
Bolton
BL1 6PQ

Telephone (Provincial Office) +44 (0) 1204 600 720

Email: safeguarding.trustee@salesians.org.uk

The Scottish Government has established a Redress Scheme for Survivors of historical abuse in care in Scotland. The Scheme became operational on December 9th 2021.

On 23 October 2018, in a statement in the Scottish Parliament, the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP said: "Today, on behalf of the Scottish Government, I offer an unreserved and heartfelt apology to everyone who suffered abuse in care in Scotland." On December 8th 2021 announcing the establishment of the Redress Scheme he asked that all past care providers share responsibility and become financial contributors in relation to Redress payments to those who had been in their care, saying: "We believe that organisations that were responsible for the care of children at the time they experienced abuse should meaningfully participate in this national collective endeavour to recognise the harms of the past. This would be done by contributing to the scheme financially and by acting consistently with its spirit and ethos, and acknowledging the harms of the past."

The Salesians of Don Bosco, as a past provider of childcare provision in Scotland have committed themselves to be contributors to the Redress Scheme acknowledging their share in the wrongs of the past.