guide Archives - Catholic Safeguarding Council https://catholicsafeguardingcouncil.org.uk/tag/guide/ Sun, 05 Jul 2026 20:04:34 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 253270737 About the Strategic Council for Catholic Safeguarding https://catholicsafeguardingcouncil.org.uk/about-us/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:50:54 +0000 https://catholicsafeguardingcouncil.org.uk/?page_id=16 What is safeguarding? 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 […]

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]]> What is safeguarding?

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

Name Member Order/Diocese
Sr Una Coogan Co-Chair Conference of Religious
Bishop Paul Mason Co-Chair Bishop of the Forces
Sr Jane Bertelsen Religious member Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood
Bishop James Curry Diocesan member Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
Fr Mervyn Williams Religious member Salesians of John Bosco
Bishop Timothy Menezes Diocesan member Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham
Fr David Smolira Religious member Society of Jesus
Bishop Stephen Wright Diocesan member Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle

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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