Parish Safeguarding Representatives. Zia and Kasia office telephone: 01638 662492 Email: olise.safeguarding@gmail.com

If you have concerns about the immediate safety of a child, young person or adult then please contact the emergency services immediately, dialling 999. 

Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator:Mr Liam Sainsbury
Office telephone: (01508) 492202 | Mobile telephone: 07931 952626
Email: safeguarding.coordinator@rcdea.org.uk

DiocesanSafeguarding Administrator:Ms Donna Wright
Office telephone: (01508) 492202 | Mobile telephone: 07931 952628
Email: donna.wright@rcdea.org.uk

Helpline Contact Details:

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141 (lines open Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Childline: 0800 1111 (phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything – lines open 24 hours)
Cruse (bereavement helpline): 0800 808 1677 (lines open Mondays and Fridays: 9.30am to 5.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays); Tuesday to Thursday: 9.30am to 8.00pm)
NAPAC – National Association for People Abused in Childhood: 0808 801 0331 (support for adults abused as children – lines open Monday to Thursday: 10.00am to 9.00pm; Fridays: 10.00am to 6.00pm)
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse – lines open 24 hours)
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (phone if you are worried about a child – lines open 24 hours)
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to – lines open 24 hours)
Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900 (preventing child sexual abuse – lines open Monday to Thursday: 9.00am to 9.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays); Fridays: 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Survivors Trust: 08088 010 818 (support for men who have experienced sexual assault or rape – lines open Mondays and Wednesdays: 10.00am to 7:30pm; Tuesdays: 10.00am to 12.00 noon and 1:30pm to 7:30pm; Thursdays: 10.00am to 4.00pm and 5.00pm to 7:30pm; Fridays: 10.00am to 2.00pm)

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility across the whole Diocese of East Anglia. Whether clergy, staff, or laity, every person has a duty to help ensure that our parishes and communities are safe, and that a culture of care, vigilance, and accountability is upheld. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and concerns or allegations of abuse must always be reported. Anyone who harms others or commits abuse will be held to account.

Below is an overview of the key safeguarding roles within the diocese and how they work together to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The Diocesan Bishop

The Bishop holds overall responsibility for safeguarding within the diocese. He provides leadership, sets expectations for best practice, and ensures safeguarding is embedded in the life of the Church. He works collaboratively with clergy, diocesan staff, safeguarding professionals, and national bodies to develop and uphold effective policies and procedures.

The Diocesan Trustees

The Trustees, made up of clergy and lay members with relevant expertise, provide governance and oversight. They are legally responsible for ensuring that safeguarding is prioritised, properly managed, and compliant with civil and canon law. They meet regularly to review safeguarding performance and hold diocesan leadership to account.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Commission

Appointed by the Bishop, the Safeguarding Commission provides independent advice and scrutiny. Chaired by an independent professional, its members include experts from social care, police, probation, clergy, religious, and laity. The Commission:

• Reviews all safeguarding casework

• Considers new and ongoing allegations or concerns

• Works with statutory agencies

• Ensures cases are monitored and reviewed

• Advises and updates the Bishop on safeguarding matters

Much of this work is carried out in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Sub‑Committee

This Sub‑Committee, made up of trustees and safeguarding specialists, oversees the strategic direction of safeguarding in the diocese. It:

• Reviews casework and the work of the Commission

• Ensures compliance with the national safeguarding standards

• Identifies risks and monitors progress through an implementation plan

• Reviews and approves diocesan safeguarding policies and procedures

The Chair reports regularly to the Board of Trustees on developments, risks, and safeguarding activity across the diocese.

The Parish Priest

The Parish Priest is responsible for safeguarding within his parish. He provides leadership, ensures safeguarding is integral to parish life, and supports the Parish Safeguarding Representative(s) and volunteers. He must:

• Follow Safer Recruitment practices

• Maintain up‑to‑date safeguarding training

• Report concerns promptly to the diocesan safeguarding office

• Ensure volunteers understand and follow safeguarding procedures

The Safeguarding Coordinator

The Safeguarding Coordinator is a professionally qualified safeguarding practitioner employed by the diocese. Appointed by the Bishop, they lead the diocesan Safeguarding Team and are responsible for:

• Managing safeguarding allegations, victims/survivors, and respondents

• Overseeing training and Safer Recruitment

• Ensuring compliance with national safeguarding standards

• Liaising with the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency

• Reporting to the Bishop, Trustees, Commission, and Sub‑Committee

The Coordinator also supervises the Safeguarding Administrator.

The Safeguarding Administrator

The Safeguarding Administrator supports the operational delivery of safeguarding across the diocese. Their responsibilities include:

• Leading on Safer Recruitment processes

• Managing DBS applications and safeguarding records

• Receiving and processing safeguarding referrals

• Supporting parishes and Parish Safeguarding Representatives

• Delivering training for PSRs

• Providing administrative support to the Commission and Sub‑Committee

The Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR)

The PSR is a trained volunteer who promotes safe practice within the parish. They:

• Work closely with the Parish Priest and parish community

• Support safe activities involving children, young people, and vulnerable adults

• Maintain regular contact with the diocesan safeguarding team

• Understand how to respond to disclosures or concerns

• Coordinate Safer Recruitment and DBS checks for parish volunteers

The PSR acts as the essential link between the parish and the diocese in all safeguarding matters.

For those who wish to learn more about safeguarding within the Catholic Church, further guidance, policies, and national standards can be found on the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) website via the link below.

Please click here for the CSSA Website.

If you would like to deepen your understanding or undertake additional training, the Diocese recommends completing Safeguarding Training – Level 3. The link to this training is also provided below.

Click here to complete the Level 3 safeguarding training.

St Josephine Bakhita (1869–1947)

St Josephine Bakhita was born in Darfur, Sudan. As a young child she was kidnapped by slave traders and forced to walk hundreds of miles. Sold repeatedly, she endured severe cruelty and violence. She later recalled that during those years, “I do not remember a single day without some wound or other.”

Her life changed when she was taken to Italy and placed temporarily with a community of religious sisters. When her owner attempted to reclaim her, the sisters protected her, and a court ruled that slavery had no legal standing in Italy. She remained with the sisters, was baptised, and eventually entered religious life.

St Josephine became known for her deep faith, forgiveness, and serenity. Reflecting on her past, she once said that if she were to meet those who had harmed her, she would “kneel and kiss their hands,” because her journey—however painful—had led her to Christ. Today she is honoured as a modern African saint and a powerful witness against the evils of slavery and human trafficking. Pope St John Paul II proclaimed: “Rejoice, all of Africa! Bakhita has come back to you… free with the freedom of the saints.”

Her feast day is 8 February, now widely associated with prayer and action against human trafficking and modern slavery.

If you are concerned about any incidents of modern slavery within our parish or local community, please contact 999 immediately, and inform your Parish Safeguarding Representative and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

St Josephine Bakhita, pray for us.