Dear Parishioners,
Volunteers have a vital role in the life of the church. However, as a church, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone whose ministry is involved with children or vulnerable adults/ adults at risk has undertaken relevant training. This expectation has been laid out in a letter issued by Bishop Richard in November 2020 and one from the Safeguarding Office.
If you are therefore involved in any of the following roles:
Catechist,
Eucharistic Minister in the Community,
Altar Server (over 18 years),
St Vincent de Paul Society,
Children’s Liturgy
or any other ministry where you come into contact with children or vulnerable adults/ adults at risk you will be required to complete the relevant training online by the end of March 2021. The expectation of training being undertaken has always been there but has not always been done. As a result, it has unfortunately been decided that if it has not been undertaken by that date, parishioners will no longer be able to undertake their ministry. This would obviously be disappointing to the individual and would also impact on the smooth running of the church.
I would therefore ask you to undertake the relevant training by the 31st March 2021 by emailing the Safeguarding Office on [email protected] with your name and role. If you have attended Diocese face to face training or carried out Diocese online training via EduCare in the past three years, then your training requirement is up to date.
As always, I am here to speak to should you have any concerns and Janette Pentney (Safeguarding Officer for the parish) is also available to discuss any issues and to provide assistance should you need it (details below). Please also contact Janette if you know that you require a DBS check or a renewal.
As lockdown may continue to Easter, this is an ideal time to prepare the church further to safeguard and promote the welfare of everyone who is associated with parish life. To this end, Diocesan Safeguarding Awareness Training is not limited to only those who are eligible for a DBS check but to anyone in the parish.
Thank you for your assistance in this important matter.
Father Jack
Janette Pentney (01342 327109 or [email protected])
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