Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO Safeguarding Statement
Updated, January 2023.
We, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, recognise the personal dignity and rights of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and those connected with our activities and our duty to protect them from harm and promote their well-being and welfare. We commit to do all in our power to create a safe environment for all our people and to safeguard them from any form of neglect or abuse, be it physical, sexual, psychological or emotional, spiritual, discriminatory, institutional, financial or material. This applies to the material on our website. We will liaise closely with church and statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are promptly dealt with, alleged victims supported and alleged perpetrators reported to the appropriate statutory services.
There is a named person – Safeguarding Lead – in the province (England, Ireland and Scotland) who attends meetings organised by the Safeguarding Commissions in their respective countries.
They keep each other up-to-date with legislation and inform the sisters of any changes.
In England, since October 2021 we are now working with The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) which has replaced the individual Diocesan Safeguarding Commissions of England and Wales. Safe Spaces England & Wales supports survivors of abuse. This can be contacted through their website www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk and the phone number 0300 030 1056.
In Scotland, we work with the Conference of Religious in Scotland (CRS) which has an established Safeguarding Commission (CRSSC) – that works in close communication with the Bishops’ Conference to ensure independent scrutiny, to support and assist the Congregational Leaders / Link Coordinators to oversee and manage the process around current safeguarding issues. We are audited annually.
In the Republic of Ireland, we work with The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. Ireland is registered through AMRI (Association of Missionary and Religious of Ireland). We are registered through AMRI and the National Board.
The Provincial Leader co-ordinates the safeguarding group.
Our Safeguarding Representatives are:
England:
Kate Burke
Email: cburkefailte@hotmail.com
Scotland:
Sr. Mary Frances Collett, RNDM
Email: mcollett4@gmail.com
SCSS (Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service) www.scsafeguarding.org.uk
Ireland:
Sr. Helen O’Riordan
Email: hforiordan@eircom.net