National Catholic Safeguarding Commission Annual Report, Catholic Church of England and Wales, July 25, 2012

National Catholic Safeguarding Commission Annual Report

Catholic Church of England and Wales
July 25, 2012

http://catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/News-Releases/National-Catholic-Safeguarding-Commission-Annual-Report

[with download of the full report]

The fourth Annual Report outlining the work of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC) and the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) has been launched today.

This report reflects the work of the Commission and the CSAS. It highlights the many positive developments in the safeguarding ministry in the Catholic Church in England and Wales whilst acknowledging that there is still work to be done and the need to remain vigilant in the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

NCSC Developments 2011 – 2012

In 2011 the NCSC identified that its main areas of work for 2011/2012 would be to:

Develop a more sensitive and pastoral response to victims and survivors of abuse
Ensure that safeguarding standards are maintained throughout the Church
Seek solutions to support the religious in their safeguarding endeavours

The report describes the progress in these areas.

The report also describes the work undertaken by the NCSC and CSAS to assist the Bishops' Conference in their response to the call from the Holy See for Bishops' Conferences across the world to produce guidelines for dealing with the sexual abuse of minors by clergy.

CSAS Developments 2011 – 2012

During the last year CSAS has supported the NCSC in achieving its strategic priorities and also undertaken a number of other key activities across the Church in England and Wales. These include:

Completing the review of the National Policy for Creating a Safe Environment.
Producing an advisory protocol for Information Sharing• Completing the Review of Organisational Structures commenced in 2009
Extending the CRB Umbrella Body arrangements to a number of Catholic Charities and Trusts

(CSAS is one of the largest voluntary sector Registered Bodies with the CRB, having completed almost 15,000 CRB checks in 2011)

The report also stresses that the work of the national organisations must be seen in the context of the immense contributions of the safeguarding teams across the country working every day in the dioceses, parishes and religious orders. It gives examples of some of the work undertaken. It also provides statistics for the last year – including CRB checks, allegations of abuse and covenants of care.