Safeguarding

Safeguarding

The English Dominican Congregation of St Catherine of Siena (EDC) Safeguarding Policy

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.

Our Safeguarding lead for all other matters is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Tel. 0151 556 2311

A list of other organisations that may be contacted is below.

Safeguarding Policy

1. POLICY OVERVIEW

EDC is committed to safeguarding all children and adults. For EDC this commitment directly relates to the fact that we are all made in the image of God and the Church's common belief in the preciousness, dignity and uniqueness of every human life. We start from the principle that each person has a right to expect the highest level of protection, love, encouragement and respect. We are committed to the One Church Approach to safeguarding(2020), and seek to ensure that we have suitable structures and policies, and that we respond to victims or survivors promptly and compassionately.

2. SCOPE

2.1 This policy and procedure applies to all workers within the EDC [Religious, Lay, Voluntary or Employee], regardless of their role or the activities they undertake.

2.1.a.  It is the responsibility of all EDC sisters to prevent abuse, whether such abuse is by action or omission.

2.2 Abuse in this policy refers to: physical; sexual; emotional; spiritual; neglect; self-neglect; organisational; material; psychological; financial; domestic or verbal. Additionally, behaviour which effectively results in modern day slavery or where there is evidence of discrimination or radicalisation, is recognised and addressed as a safeguarding issue, in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 6.

3. TRAINING

3.1 EDC Sisters undergo Safeguarding Training in relation to working with both children and adults, and in addition receive training relevant to their individual roles. Listed below are the minimum standards for training in each role:

Role                                                                Training

• Prioress General – RLG Leader Training (equivalent to Level 2)
• Trustees – Trustee Training (equivalent to Level 2)
• Congregation Members who work with public – Advance Safeguarding Training (equivalent to Level 2)
• Congregation members who do not work with public – Basic Safeguarding Training (equivalent Level 1)

3.2 EDC Sisters and Board members will undertake yearly refresher training.

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 The Board of Trustees

The Board has a duty to maintain appropriate governance and oversight of Safeguarding in line with this policy and national guidelines. Certain functions of the Board are delegated to congregation sisters, as indicated below.

The Prioress General

The Prioress General is responsible for ensuring that appropriate policy, procedures and best practice are in place for the effective delivery of safeguarding.  This includes any related due diligence checks. Certain functions of the Prioress General will be delegated, as indicated below.

4.2 The Safeguarding Lead

The Safeguarding Lead is  the RLSS, (contact at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel. 0151 556 2311)  they have direct oversight of EDC safeguarding policy and guidance, including management and oversight of documentation, case progression/management and the secure, legally compliant storage of safeguarding reports and related material as well as oversight of the relationship with and input on the work of the RLSS.

4.4 All other roles

All sisters and staff have an obligation to ensure that they know how to respond to safeguarding concerns.  This means being familiar with the content of this policy, the procedures contained within it, and other associated policies/procedures.

4.5 General

Everyone involved in the work of EDC has a duty to disclose to the Prioress General or Safeguarding leads in St Rose’s School and St Mary’s Home any safeguarding concerns that have been raised.

5. PRACTICE GUIDANCE

5.1 Action must be taken if a concern is raised that a child or adult is suffering or is likely to be suffering from significant harm. This includes, but is not limited to:

Someone who is at serious risk of harm from themself or others

Someone who poses a serious risk of harm to someone else

A concern about a child or vulnerable adult at risk of harm from someone else

Concerns over someone’s mental capacity

5.2 Action must also be taken in line with the Church’s mandatory reporting policy. This means that action must be taken if there are reasonable grounds to suspect or believe, that someone who holds any type of role within the Church is going to, or has, committed a crime, is going to, or has, caused harm, who poses a risk or is otherwise unsuitable to work in a public facing role.

6. PROCEDURE

6.1 If a member of EDC becomes aware of a safeguarding issue, they should contact the RLSS Safeguarding Team and pass the concern and all associated records to them immediately. They should also ensure the person who made the issue known is aware  that this is being done.

6.1.2 The RLSS or Safeguarding Lead at EDC who has casework responsibility should:

• Ensure the victim/survivor or individual has been informed of the next steps
• Explain what will happen,
• give them options if possible and an indicative timescale
• Contact any relevant bodies
• Complete the safeguarding paperwork and ensure appropriate record keeping of all communications including phone calls, meetings and discussions in relation to the case are recorded
• Inform the leadership of the new safeguarding referral.

Reporting of Safeguarding concerns is mandatory.

6.1.3 When the concern needs to be reported to a statutory agency(see 6.3), the individual making the referral must be informed that no information about safeguarding will be kept confidential, and that the details must be passed on to the police and any other appropriate body.  However they may be able to remain anonymous, depending on the circumstances.  Anyone receiving a disclosure should be supportive of the individual making it but should not seek more details than necessary for an initial statutory referral.

6.2 The RLSS will make recommendation about when to report to safeguarding bodies or external agencies based on risk and need and the national policy guidance supplied by the CSSA.

6.3 Safeguarding Bodies (not exhaustive)

• Internal Safeguarding Structures within the Catholic Church
• Local authority Safeguarding team – Adults
• Local authority Safeguarding team – Children
• Police 999
• Police 101
• GP
• Crisis Team
• RLSS Out of Hours Team 0151 556 2311
• Community Psychiatric Nurse
• Charity Commission
• CSSA
• Local Safeguarding Commission
• Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
• NSPCC
• DBS

7. WHISTLEBLOWING

7.1 EDC will encourage and enable anyone with a serious concern to raise the concern without fear of victimisation or disadvantage.

7.1.1 If there is a concern in relation to safeguarding involving malpractice, illegal acts, or omissions by members of the EDC or any other religious institution, then the RLSS should be made aware.

7.2 The action taken by the RLSS will depend upon the nature of the concern that has been referred to them. An investigation will be undertaken if appropriate, which will be followed by appropriate action.  Written feedback will be provided, including a rationale documenting the reasons why identified, specific actions have been taken. This can be delegated to RLSS.

8. RECORDING AND STORAGE OF SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS AND CASE FILES

8.1 Primary responsibility for the management of documents and safeguarding case files sits with the Safeguarding Lead / RLSS, who will ensure that an accurate, auditable, and secure record of any safeguarding concern or allegation referred to EDC is maintained.

8.1.1 This record will include:

• Relevant contact details
• Details of how/when the concern or allegation was received.
• Details of the concern itself
• Relevant historical information
• Identified past and present risk factors
• Any actions or investigation undertaken including those by EDC or RLSS] and from statutory agencies.
• Rationale for actions and/or the outcome of the case

8.2 All records are potential evidence in a criminal trial, civil case or statutory/public Inquiry and must be stored in a safe and retrievable format

9. SAFER RECRUITMENT PRACTICE GUIDANCE

9.2 The EDC will ensure that all staff who are employed by EDC are subject to the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (including enhanced DBS) in line with both statutory and Catholic Church requirements.

9.2 Appointments will be based on the person's experience, skills and ability to meet the set criteria and job specification for the specific role. It is essential to ensure that all documentation relating to the applicant is stored in a secure place and remains confidential.

9.3 Appointment to a role will not be confirmed until a satisfactory DBS Disclosure check has been received, and previous employment references have been confirmed as being acceptable.

9.4 On appointment, all new employees should be provided with, and sign, a document to say they understand all relevant policies and procedures.  This will include a copy of this document,  their responsibilities within it being highlighted.

9.5 All persons seeking to work with children or adults whether in a paid or unpaid capacity must be provided with the opportunity to self-disclose relevant criminal conviction information. This is a DBS Code of Practice requirement and applies to anyone being asked to have an Enhanced Disclosure.

5. POLICY REVIEW

5.1 This policy is approved by the EDC Board of Trustees and will be subject to regular review

Policy last updated: November 2025

by Sister Mary Teresa Billington, o.p.

Prioress General

Date: 19.11.2025

Date of next review: November 2026