Safeguarding
Parish Safeguarding Representatives
Thank you to all our valued PSRs for working together with the Parish Priest and the Safeguarding Team to ensure safe spaces for everyone.
Parish resources for the following topics: https://catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/resources/parish-resources/
Safeguarding structures within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Safer recruitment in the Church, DBS, Codes of Conduct, Responding to allegations and concerns, organising and running church events involving children, young people and adults at risk and video conferencing.
Who are the Parish Safeguarding Representatives (PSRs) and what do they do?
PSRs are volunteers who provide assistance and support to their parish in Safeguarding matters. The PSR’s role is a very important one because it helps keep our parish communities safe from harm and abuse by creating safe environments where everyone flourishes. The PSR works in partnership with the Parish Priest, Parish Leaders, Volunteers and Diocesan Safeguarding Team to ensure everyone can participate in parish activities happily and safely; especially those considered vulnerable including children, young people, and adults at risk.
Currently, the Diocese has 109 PSRs across its 9 Pastoral Deaneries and 96 Parishes.
The four main areas of a PSR’s work involve:
- Reporting and Responding to all Safeguarding concerns
- Safe Recruitment of volunteers (including DBS applications)
- Creating a Safe environment in your parish
- Promote a Culture of Safeguarding in parishes
How do you become a PSR?
If you are interested in applying please contact your parish priest. The parish priest will meet to discuss the role within the parish and then email safeguarding@cliftondiocese.com to start the recruitment process.
The recruitment process has four main steps:
- Recruitment process at discretion of Parish Priest
- Complete Diocese DBS check and two reference checks
- Completion of CSSA online safeguarding training for PSRs.
- Completion of annual Clergy/PSR training by Clifton Diocese
Please find below the PSR role description with the role requirements:
How much time do PSRs dedicate to this role.
PSRs generously give their time to help their parish communities. Parishes can have more than one PSR in place. The time needed can vary based on the size of your parish, activities schedule and other circumstances. Commonly this will be a couple of hours a week however the role can get busier at certain times of the year.
How long are PSRs expected to be in this role?
We know that life circumstances can change at any time and appreciate the commitment of all our volunteers. Once a PSR wishes or needs to step down from the role, we ask that they inform their parish priest and the Diocese Safeguarding team as soon as possible so that the Parish Priest can search for a suitable replacement or put in place interim arrangements.
How are PSRs supported in their role?
PSRs are going to receive annual re-training with their Parish Priest who is the lead for safeguarding in the Parish. They are constantly supported in their role by the Safeguarding Team, who are available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
PSR Poster – Contact Details:
A safeguarding poster with the PSRs’ Clifton Diocese email address should be placed on the parish notice board, church hall noticeboard or church porch where it is visible to parishioners. The Diocese provides posters specifically relevant to your parish, and this is done through the safeguarding@cliftondiocese.com