The criteria which indicate that this standard is being met include…

TS1: Training

The Church body will:

• Ensure that all clergy and religious who require it, including those in formation, have access to and avail themselves of nationally agreed safeguarding training to support their contribution to the Church body’s safeguarding practice.
• Require all overseas personnel, and those that are new to ministry, to have received training in the safeguarding standards and to have a good understanding of their content, prior to being involved in active ministry.
• Ensure that all lay employees and volunteers receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role, including specialist training for those with specific leadership or safeguarding responsibilities.
• Promote continuous improvement through regular review of the range, quality and impact of training provided.
• Produce a training needs analysis to facilitate the provision of training.
• Avail themselves of locally provided safeguarding training from relevant organisations in the area.
• Keep records of those who avail themselves of training opportunities and proactively engage with those who do not attend.

TS2: Support

The leadership of the Church body will:

• Prioritise the provision of effective safeguarding training.
• Maintain active oversight of its training provision to address any failures to meet its training requirements which may impact negatively on its practice.

The following represents evidence that would indicate compliance with this standard:

• The existence of a safeguarding training plan for the Church body, which has been updated and revised.
• A comprehensive training needs analysis for safeguarding for the Church body.
• Notes within the minutes of management and leadership meetings for the Church body, that the training needs are being tracked and discussed.
• An induction programme for new leaders and other key roles within the Church body.

< Standard Six

Standard Eight >

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Safeguarding in the Church is the commitment to create safe, respectful, and protective environments where all who have contact with the Church are safe from harm, and where all people are treated with dignity and care. 

It is more than just responding to concerns: safeguarding is a culture, a way of being Church that reflects the Gospel values of love, justice, and respect for every person.

To ‘care for the other as a person for whom God has made us responsible’ is at the heart of the Church’s responsibility to safeguard all the people she encounters in the exercise of her mission, particularly those who are most at risk of abuse or exploitation in any form.

Our Mission

The Strategic Council for Catholic Safeguarding (SCCS) exists to ensure a One Church, One Voice approach to safeguarding across the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

The SCCS provides a strategic framework that strengthens safeguarding arrangements across the Catholic Church. Our mission is to ensure coherence, consistency, and accountability in safeguarding practice, guided by national standards and continuous learning.

Our Role

Our role is to:

• Provide one voice
• Review evidence
• Provide actionable feedback

Who We Serve

We are committed to serving:

• All Catholic dioceses
• Religious Life Groups
• Catholic organisations and networks
• Those who have experienced harm within the Church
• Safeguarding professionals
• Clergy and lay leaders

Council Members

How the SCCS works

The Council comprises experienced safeguarding leaders, senior Church representatives, lay experts, and individuals with specialist knowledge in statutory safeguarding, regulation, governance, and survivor engagement.

The Council:

• Advises on strategy
• Oversees national safeguarding priorities
• Ensures alignment across Church bodies through a One Church approach
• Reviews learning and system-wide risks

To deliver its remit, the Strategic Council for Catholic Safeguarding may connect with several advisory groups across the Church, including those who focus on:

• Standards and Compliance
• Training and Workforce Development
• Quality Assurance and Audit
• Survivor Engagement
• Risk and Governance

Do you have a question? Please use our Contact Us form.

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