If someone is in immediate danger, call 999

This is the first rule. If a child or adult at risk is in immediate danger, do not begin by ringing the parish or the diocese. Ring 999 and ask for the police. If the matter is urgent but not an emergency, ring 101, or contact your local authority Children's Social Care or Adult Social Care directly. Only after the statutory authorities know should you turn to the diocese.

This guide is for everyone who serves in the parishes of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, whether you are a priest, a parish secretary, a Parish Safeguarding Representative, a volunteer, a parent or simply someone who attends Mass.

What the Bishop says about safeguarding

Safeguarding is a task and commitment to which every member of the Church is called. Safeguarding is part of proclaiming the Gospel, for in all our efforts to care and protect the most vulnerable we give witness to Christ. The same Jesus, the Eternal Son of God who became vulnerable and defenceless as a tiny child entrusted to Our Lady and Saint Joseph.

Bishop Mark Davies, diocesan safeguarding page, dioceseofshrewsbury.org/safeguarding.

The diocesan policy follows the 8 National Safeguarding Standards set by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). The CSSA framework covers leadership, training, suitability of personnel, support of those affected, responding to concerns, working with statutory agencies, communication, and review and improvement. Every parish in the diocese works inside it.

Who to contact in the Diocese of Shrewsbury

The Department of Safeguarding sits at the Curial Office, 2 Park Road South, Prenton, Wirral CH43 4UX. The named team is small and answers calls during office hours.

• Department of Safeguarding: safeguarding@dioceseofshrewsbury.org, 0151 652 9855, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
• Andrew O'Brien, Safeguarding Coordinator: andrew.obrien@dioceseofshrewsbury.org, 07557 731 492 during office hours.
• Alison Brady, Safeguarding Team: alison.brady@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.
• Alison Charters, Safeguarding Team: alison.charters@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.

The steps to report a concern

1. If anyone is in immediate danger, ring 999 first. Do this before contacting the diocese. The police are the lead authority for criminal matters.
2. If the concern is about a child, ring your local authority Children's Social Care. If the concern is about an adult at risk, ring Adult Social Care. The diocesan team can help you find the right number, but a delay caused by ringing the diocese first is not acceptable when a child or adult at risk is unsafe.
3. Make a written record of what you saw, heard or were told, in your own words, dated and signed. Stick to facts. Note the time, place, who was present, and the exact words used where possible.
4. Contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, Andrew O'Brien, on 07557 731 492 or 0151 652 9855, or email safeguarding@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. The diocese will work alongside the statutory authorities, not in place of them.
5. Tell your Parish Safeguarding Representative and your parish priest, unless the concern is about either of them. In that case, go directly to the diocesan team.
6. Co-operate fully with any subsequent investigation. Do not contact the alleged perpetrator. Do not warn anyone. Do not investigate on your own.

What not to do

• Do not promise confidentiality to a person disclosing abuse. You can promise to listen, to take them seriously and to handle the information sensitively. You cannot promise to keep a serious concern secret.
• Do not interview the child or adult at length. Listen, record what they say in their own words, and pass the report on.
• Do not delete emails, messages or documents that may be relevant.
• Do not post anything on social media or discuss the matter outside the safeguarding chain.

If you are a survivor of abuse in the Church

The diocese welcomes contact from survivors at any stage. Bishop Davies has stated that the response begins "with the respectful, compassionate and non-judgemental response to people who have been affected by abuse in the Church regardless of where the harm occurred or who is responsible." The diocese also signposts survivors to the independent national service, Safe Spaces, run by Victim Support, which offers confidential trauma-informed support for anyone harmed in a Church of England or Catholic Church context.

Documents and further reading

The diocese publishes its Diocesan Complaints Procedure 2025, the Diocesan Whistleblowing Policy 2025 and the Annual Diocesan Safeguarding Report 2024 on the safeguarding pages of dioceseofshrewsbury.org. The CSSA Audit Report 2024 Executive Summary is also published there. Parish Safeguarding Representatives and parish priests should read these once a year.

Final reminder

Safeguarding is everyone's business. If something does not feel right, report it. The diocesan team would rather receive ten reports that turn out to be nothing than one that should have been made and was not. Ring 0151 652 9855 or email safeguarding@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.