Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO Safeguarding Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults
Renewed March 2025
We, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, recognise the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults towards whom we have a special responsibility and duty of care. We undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from any form of neglect or abuse, be it physical, sexual, psychological or emotional, spiritual, discriminatory, institutional, financial or material. We will liaise closely with our Safeguarding Leads and RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Services) 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 are named persons – Safeguarding Leads – in the province (UK and Republic of Ireland) who attends meetings organised by the Safeguarding Commissions in their respective countries.
In England, since October 2021 we are now working with The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) which has replaced the individual Diocesan Safeguarding Commissions of England and Wales. We undertake annual training and attend meetings with RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Services).
In England and Wales, Safe Spaces is open to anyone over 18, who lives in England and Wales. It provides a free and independent support and service. It is confidential, personal and offers a safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church.
Safe Spaces Helpline: 0300 303 1056. Email: safespaces@firstlight.org.uk
In Scotland, we work with the Conference of Religious in Scotland (CRS) which since 2022 has an established Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) – 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.
In the Republic of Ireland, we work with The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. We are registered through AMRI (Association of Missionary Religious in Ireland).
The Provincial Leader co-ordinates the safeguarding group.
Our Safeguarding Representatives are:
England:
Province Safeguarding Lead
Kate Burke :
Email: cburkefailte@hotmail.com
Tel: 0118 984 2166
Safeguarding Lead for St. Anne’s
Liz Jones
Email: lizjones.suppervision@gmail.com
Tel: 07395992226 – 01227 711912
RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Services) Tel: 0151 556 2311
Email: safeguarding@religiouslifesafeguarding.org
CSSA (Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency)
Email: admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
Scotland:
Sr. Mary Frances Collett, RNDM
SCSSA (Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency) Email: admin@scssa.org.uk
Ireland:
Sr. Helen O’Riordan