The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Diocesan Office for Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults, 8 Corsehill Road, Ayr, KA7 2ST
Telephone: 01292 266750      Email: childprotection@gallowaydiocese.org.uk

The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness and well being of each individual person within God’s purpose for everyone.

It seeks to safeguard the welfare of children and young people who are involved in whatever capacity with the Church and its organisations.

As a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of children and young people.

Opening of Diocesan Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Office: The new office, based within 8 Corsehill Road, Ayr, is now completed.  This office is the hub of Child Protection for the Diocese of Galloway.

Diocesan Audit: On 1st October 2005 parish coordinators from across the Diocese of Galloway attended a meeting in Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Meddan's Church Hall, Troon.  Each deanery was represented by a Deanery Liaison Representative and their Dean.

The purpose of the meeting was to introduce Jackie McCaig, the National Coordinator for Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults, and to revisit the practice in Child Protection across the diocese.  An audit was undertaken of each deanery to establish areas for improvement.  The day was a success and the workshops provided evidence of targets for the diocese to take forward.

National Audit: A National Audit has just been undertaken across Scotland as an indicator of progress in the recruitment, training and vetting of volunteers.

Recruitment Packs: From the audit on 1st October there was an identified need for standardisation in paperwork.  A working party was set up and their remit was to produce a recruitment pack for volunteers.  This pack is now completed and in operation throughout the Diocese of Galloway.

Training: Sessions for volunteers are now in progress with identified parishes hosting for their neighbours.  This encourages sharing of good ideas, sharing of good practice, and partnership with each other.

Training for co-signatories: With the cooperation of the National Commission in Paisley training sessions for co-signatories are now being rolled out across the Diocese of Galloway.  Dates are being identified in each of the deaneries allowing individuals the opportunity to have training in form-filling and in the legalities around Disclosure Scotland.