AUDIT REPORT 2013

Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service
December 16, 2014

http://www.bcos.org.uk/Portals/0/Safeguarding%20Audit%202013.pdf

Introduction

Each year the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service through the office of the National Coordinator presents a report to the Bishops of Scotland at their November meeting which details an Audit of the eight dioceses in Scotland in relation to the work of safeguarding in the previous calendar year.

The Audit contains details of how safe environments are created with a rigorous recruitment which includes an Application Form, references and PVG Scheme membership (previously Disclosures) for those involved with children and vulnerable adults in a Church setting.

As well as PVG, Training plays an important role in creating safe environments. The current national safeguarding training programme developed by professionals within the Catholic Church is called “Awareness and Safety in Our Catholic Communities”. The training programme includes a Welcome Guide for all volunteers in the parishes with clear guidance about appropriate safeguarding procedures and good practice. This training is mandatory and delivered by experienced and trained Diocesan safeguarding Trainers. The Audit contains details about the training undertaken annually. Training has been further enhanced during 2013-14 to include important issues such as managing sex offenders in our parish communities, information on the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 and the impact of Child Sex Exploitation.