The Archdiocese Safeguarding Team are committed to responding compassionately and within an appropriate timescale, to any disclosure, allegation or concern raised.
The central safeguarding team are pleased to announce that there is now a direct reporting mechanism available via the Archdiocese of Southwark Website.
Anyone who wishes to report a safeguarding concern, allegation or disclosure can click on the above link and will be able to report matters directly to the central Safeguarding team. This reporting function does not have an immediate response and will be seen by the safeguarding team within 1 working day of the concern being reported.
The safeguarding team are unable to process any anonymous reports via this process. All reports that are received through this process, without the referrers contact details included, can not be processed.
If you wish to report a matter anonymously, then this must be done directly to the safeguarding office either by email safeguardingoffice@rcaos.org.uk or 0207 261 1606.
Where a complainant/referrer wishes to remain anonymous, it will be considered at the discretion of the Head of Safeguarding, with reference to the criteria within the Charity Commission or other relevant regulatory guidance. In exercising this discretion, the following will be considered:
- The seriousness of the issue raised
- The credibility of the allegation; and
- Whether the allegation can realistically be investigated from factors or sources other than the complainant
Please see our safeguarding & whistle-blowing policy for further details regarding anonymous reporting.
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 in any role within the catholic church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office of your diocese or directly to the police.
Reporting to the Police
If you have a concern of a safeguarding nature where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention please call the emergency services on 999.
Reporting to the Archdiocese of Southwark
If you wish to report any safeguarding concerns, past or present, please email us on safeguardingoffice@rcaos.org.uk. Our Safeguarding Office is open between 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday and the team will ensure that any concerns are dealt with in a timely and compassionate manner.
Reporting to your Local Authority
You can report your concerns to your local children and adult services. Many local authorities host an out of hours’ helpline, details of which can usually be found on the council website.
To identify your Local Authority is please use the following link: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Reporting to other welfare charities
Where a child or adult is not in immediate danger, it is also possible to make your concerns known to one of the following bodies, some of which have freephone 24-hour telephone lines:
- Safe Spaces: Tel: 08 08 16 89 111 Support line for free
Safe Spaces Opening times throughout the Christmas and New Year (2021) period:
Friday 24th: 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 29th: 10am -6pm
Thursday 30th: 12pm -8pm
Friday 31st: 10am – 4 pm
Closed on all other dates.
Tuesday 4th January Back to normal. - NSPCC: Tel: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Child-line: Tel: 0800 1111 Freephone and open 24 hours.
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: Tel: 0808 2000 247 Freephone and open 24 hours.
- Samaritans: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Please telephone the Samaritans if you are experiencing life situations that you are struggling to deal with.
- Hourglass: action on elder abuse : Tel: 080 8808 8141 Freephone weekdays during working hours.
- The Survivor's Trust: Tel: 08088 010 818 Freephone 10 am - 7.30 am from Monday - Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm on Thursday and 10 am - 2 pm on Friday.
- NAPAC: Tel: 0808 801 0331 Freephone 10 am – 4 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 2 pm – 9 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
