If you have a concern regarding safeguarding of our parishioners, including persons at-risk, young people and children, please contact one of our Parish Safeguarding Representatives.
Attracta Asika, 079 0544 5938 and Aga Wiecek, 077 3681 9943
How to contact a PSR
PSRs are the first point of contact at the parish for all safeguarding queries. They are reachable for matters that do not imply an immediate danger to a child or adult at risk, in which case the police should be contacted on 999. There is a safeguarding poster hanging in several visible and relevant areas of the parish with our PSRs name, surname and a dedicated email address where to direct your query. If this is not visible, please do contact us for that information.
PSRs should access and check their account on a regular basis (at least once a week). If your PSR for any reason is not reachable and you do have a safeguarding matter that requires attention, please do not hesitate to contact the diocesan central safeguarding team (see below).
Reporting abuse
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. Alternatively, please contact your diocesan safeguarding caseworker at safeguarding@rcdow.org.uk.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese (the relevant Diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the interactive map on the links page of the CSSA website www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk – contact details will be shown when you click on the relevant area of the map). You can also contact CSSA by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
Safeguarding in Our Parishes
The Catholic Church in England and Wales is striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through the prayerful, caring, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic community, both individually and collectively. (Source: CSSA)
The Catholic Church and its individual members will undertake appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment for all by practising fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults and responding sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm. This is demonstrated by the provision of carefully planned activities for children, young people and adults, caring for those hurt by abuse and ministering to and robustly managing those who have caused harm. (Source: CSSA)
Across the 215 parishes of Westminster Diocese, there are currently about 275 PSRs (Parish Safeguarding Representatives) who are parishioners with a variety of professional backgrounds and who very generously volunteer in this role by offering some of their time and expertise to help with the implementation of good safeguarding practices. The role is performed with the ongoing support of the diocesan central safeguarding team; together and mutually, PSRs, the central safeguarding team and the parish priests aim at keeping everyone safe from harm and abuse with a particular focus on vulnerable groups (children and adults at risk).
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if we wish to contribute to a better society for all.
Resources
Hurt by Abuse?- Respond, Listen, Support
Hurt by Abuse? – A guide for Victims and Survivors
Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church of England and Wales or the Church in Wales.
A5 Poster Safe Spaces – Catholic (1)
A5 Poster Safe Spaces – Catholic (2)
Safe Spaces Tear off Poster – Catholic
Parish Priest
The parish priest is a key figure who is responsible for liaising with his team of PSRs to ensure that the parish environment embraces a culture of safeguarding where all members of its community, with particular care for the vulnerable, can enjoy their activities safe from harm and abuse in all circumstances.
Diocesan Central Safeguarding Team
The Diocesan central safeguarding team is based in Vaughan House (behind Westminster Cathedral) and is responsible for dealing with all safeguarding matters in the Diocese of Westminster. The team manages and correctly directs disclosures to the most appropriate agencies, safely recruits and trains PSRs, provides safeguarding training information/access to the wider Catholic community, processes DBS, performs parish safeguarding visits, meets regularly with all PSRs to refresh safeguarding provision and build on more direct and personal relationships and present and future collaborations.
Below are the current team members who can be contacted Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm:
Safeguarding Coordinator (Team Manager)
Ms Geraldine Allen: 020 7798 9350 email: geraldineallen@rcdow.org.uk
Office Manager
Ms Rika Pfaff: 07936 935707 email: rikapfaff@rcdow.org.uk
Safeguarding Officers (Allegations & Concerns)
Ms Rebecca Williams: 020 7798 9096 / 07851 250895 email: rebeccawilliams@rcdow.org.uk
Mr Freddie Coombs: 020 7798 9186 / 07851 250 897 email: frederickcoombs@rcdow.org.uk
Ms Monawara Bakht (Case Review): 077 3818 3832 email: monawarabahkt@rcdow.org.uk
Ms Lydia Bowles (Case Review): email: lydiabowles@rcdow.org.uk
Safeguarding Support Officers (PSRs Support)
Ms Arianna Sommariva: 020 7798 9358 / 07719 563119 email: ariannasommariva@rcdow.org.uk
Ms Maria Eid (Parish Support): 07874 878 710 email: mariaeid@rcdow.org.uk
DBS Administrators (DBS applications)
Ms Jackie Krobo: 020 7798 9352 email: jackiekrobo@rcdow.org.uk
Ms Johanna Ashley: 078 7486 1060 email: johannaashley@rcdow.org.uk
Mr Alexander Dance: 07874 878 712 email: alexanderdance@rcdow.org.uk
Team and EduCare Administrator
Mr Gabriele Sedda: 020 7798 9356 email: gabrielesedda@rcdow.org.uk