Diocese of Westminster

Safeguarding Department

In the Diocese of Westminster we are gifted with many individuals who work generously and tirelessly for the Church. Thank you for all you do in your own Parish.

Most people need no convincing that we should do all we can to keep children and vulnerable people safe. You will be aware that we must check our helpers the long set-vice record of many of our volunteers is in itself no longer sufficient. When you began to work for the Church there was probably nothing in place to record simple identity checks and references. These are now a requirement for all roles involving contact with our children, young people and vulnerable adults. This not only helps to ensure their safety but yours too. Regrettably, this involves some form-filling and most of us find that tedious, but in matters of safety we cannot make exceptions.

The established Catholic practice across the country involves completing these forms.

1. A Volunteer Application Form, seeking basic information about yourself and the names of two referees. This form is stored confidentially.

2. You will be asked to complete a Confidential Declaration Form which should be returned directly to this office and is not seen at parish level. This establishes a central diocesan record. You will receive both forms 1 and 2 from your Parish Safeguarding Representative.

3. You will also receive a Disclosure Application Form to secure a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check - established by the Home Office for all those working in positions of trust. This form is checked in the parish, then comes to this office for countersignature before processing. Your Disclosure certificate will be sent directly to you by the CRB after a few weeks. We also receive a copy, the number of which is recorded and retained indefinitely on the Church's national database and the certificate destroyed within six months. Any seeming duplication is required to meet the safe recruitment processes in place within the Catholic Church.

Thank you for your help to make our parishes safer for those in our care.

With all best wishes,