Safeguarding Policy
THE CHARITY OF THE CONGREGATION
OF THE URSULINES OF JESUS
“Ursulines of Jesus, as consecrated women called to live the charism of the Incarnation, want to consider our vulnerability and the vulnerability of every person with reverence. The integral care of people and creation, the commitment against all kinds of abuse and the thirst for justice for all, is part of our missionary life.
Jesus, missionary of the Father, acted for victims of all kinds. Our life of following Jesus invites us to adopt this perspective of promoting a culture of care.” Congregation of the Ursulines of Jesus Protocol of Protection
“Ever since God became man, we meet Him in every human face”
Ursulines of Jesus Book of Life No 33
1. POLICY OVERVIEW
The Charity of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Jesus is committed to safeguarding all children and adults. For the Ursulines of Jesus this commitment directly relates to the fact that we are all made in the image of God and the Church's common belief in the preciousness, dignity and uniqueness of every human life. We start from the principle that each person has a right to expect the highest level of protection, love, encouragement and respect.
Today, more than ever, our witness must reflect the tenderness of God, who treats his sons and daughters with special love, respecting their dignity and nurturing their lives.
We wish to live in loving and respectful relationships with each person, especially children, young people and adults at risk, because
“Ever since God became man, we meet Him in every human face”
Ursulines of Jesus Book of Life No 33
We are committed to implementing this policy ensuring we respond to victims/survivors promptly and compassionately.
2. SCOPE
2.1 This policy and procedure apply to all workers within the Congregation of the Ursulines of Jesus, religious, lay, voluntary or employee, regardless of their role or the activities they undertake.
2.2 It is the responsibility of all the Ursulines of Jesus to prevent abuse, whether by action or omission. Abuse in this policy refers to: physical; sexual; emotional; spiritual; neglect; self-neglect; organisational; material; psychological; financial; domestic or verbal.
2.3 We commit to:
Treat children and adults at risk with respect, regardless of their race, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
Not use language or attitudes that may be inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative, humiliating or culturally inappropriate towards children and adults at risk.
Avoid any disproportionate gesture that may be interpreted as inappropriate or any physical contact that may provoke displeasure or rejection by the other person.
3. TRAINING
3.1 All Ursulines of Jesus will undergo Safeguarding Training in relation to both Children and Adults as well as any other training relevant to their role. Listed below are the minimum standards for training in each role:
Roles:
Missionary Reality Coordinator: Sr. Hilary Brown – Training (equivalent to Level 2)
Safeguarding Lead: Sr. Nora Mary Ryan – Training (equivalent to Level 3)
Trustees - Trustee Training (equivalent to Level 2)
Community Members who work with public – Advance Safeguarding Training (equivalent to Level 2)
Community members who do not work with public – Basic Safeguarding Training (equivalent Level 1)
3.2 The trustees of the Ursulines of Jesus will undertake yearly refresher training.
4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 The Ursulines of Jesus Trustees
The trustees have a duty to maintain appropriate governance and oversight of Safeguarding in line with this policy and national guidelines. Certain functions of the trustees will be delegated to staff members, as indicated below.
4.2 Missionary Reality Coordinator
The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring appropriate policy, procedures and best practice are in place for the effective delivery of safeguarding, including any related due diligence checks. Certain functions of the Missionary Reality Coordinator will be delegated to Sisters and staff members as indicated below.
4.3 The Safeguarding Lead
The Safeguarding Lead has direct oversight of the Ursulines of Jesus safeguarding policy and guidance, including management and oversight of documentation, case progression/management and the secure, legally compliant storage of safeguarding reports and related material as well as oversight of the relationship with and input on the work of the RLSS.
4.3.1 The Safeguarding Lead may delegate some of this responsibility to the RLSS by passing the case to them but will remain as key contact for the case duration unless another individual is identified to assume case responsibility.
4.4 All other roles
All Sisters and staff have an obligation to ensure they know how to respond to safeguarding concerns by being familiar with the content of this policy and the procedure contained within it and any other associated policies/procedures.
4.5 General
Everyone involved in the work of the Ursulines of Jesus has a duty to disclose to the Safeguarding Lead /Missionary Reality Coordinator any safeguarding concerns that have been raised about them.
5. PRACTICE GUIDANCE
5.1 Action must be taken if a concern is raised that a child or an adult at risk is suffering or is likely to be suffering from significant harm. This includes, but is not limited to:
Someone who is at serious risk of harm from self or others
Someone who poses a serious risk of harm to someone else
A concern about a child or adult at risk of harm from someone else
Concerns over someone’s mental capacity
5.2 Action must also be taken in line with the Church’s mandatory reporting policy. This means that action must be taken if there are reasonable grounds to suspect or believe, that someone who holds any type of role within the Church is going to or has committed a crime, is going to or has caused harm, poses a risk or is otherwise unsuitable to work in a public facing role.
6. PROCEDURE
6.1 If an Ursulines of Jesus becomes aware of a safeguarding issue, they should contact the Safeguarding Lead first and then the RLSS Safeguarding Team passing the concern and all associated records to them immediately. Ensure the person who made you aware of the issue knows you are doing this.
6.1.3 The RLSS or Safeguarding Lead of the Ursulines of Jesus who has casework responsibility should:
Ensure the victim/survivor or individual has been informed of the next steps
Explain what will happen, give them options if possible and an indicative timescale
Contact any relevant bodies
Complete the safeguarding paperwork and ensure appropriate record keeping of all communications including phone calls, meetings and discussions in relation to the case are recorded
Inform the Missionary Reality Coordinator of the new safeguarding referral.
All referrals / reports outside of the RLSS should be made within 24 hours of receiving the information, unless there are exceptional circumstances to postpone making this referral/report.
The decision to delay a referral/report must be authorised by Missionary Reality Coordinator
6.1.3 When the concern needs to be reported to a statutory agency, the individual making the referral must be informed that all information about safeguarding will not be kept confidential, and that the details must be passed on to the police and any other appropriate body, but they may be able to remain anonymous depending on the circumstances. A Sister or member of staff should be supportive of the individual making the disclosure but should not seek more details than necessary for an initial statutory referral.
6.2 The RLSS will make recommendation about when to report to safeguarding bodies or external agencies based on risk and need and the national policy guidance supplied by the CSSA.
6.3 Safeguarding Bodies (not exhaustive)
Internal Safeguarding Structures within the Catholic Church
Local authority Safeguarding team – Adults
Local authority Safeguarding team – Children
Police 999
Police 101
GP
Crisis Team
RLSS Out of Hours Team
Community Psychiatric Nurse
Charity Commission
CSSA
Local Safeguarding Commission
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
NSPCC
DBS
7. WHISTLEBLOWING
7.1 The Ursulines of Jesus will encourage and enable anyone with a serious concern, to raise the concern without fear of victimisation, or disadvantage.
7.1.1 If that concern is in regard to malpractice, illegal acts, or omissions at the Ursulines of Jesus or other religious institution relating to safeguarding, then the RLSS should be made aware.
7.2 The action taken by the RLSS will depend upon the nature of the concern referred. However, an investigation will be undertaken if appropriate, followed by appropriate action and written feedback will be provided, including a rationale documenting the reasons why identified actions have been taken. This can be delegated to RLSS.
8. RECORDING AND STORAGE OF SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS AND CASE FILES
8.1 Primary responsibility for the management of documents and safeguarding case files sits with the Safeguarding Lead / RLSS, who will ensure an accurate, auditable, and secure record of any safeguarding concern or allegation referred to Ursulines of Jesus are maintained.
8.1.1 This record will include:
Relevant contact details
Details of how/when the concern or allegation was received.
Details of the concern itself
Relevant historical information
Identified past and present risk factors
Any actions or investigation undertaken including those by the Ursulines of Jesus or RLSS and from statutory agencies.
Rational for actions and or outcome of case
8.2 All records are potential evidence in a criminal trial civil case or statutory/public Inquiry and must be stored in a safe and retrievable format with an auditable record of provenance and integrity.
9. SAFER RECRUITMENT PRACTICE GUIDANCE
9.1 The Ursulines of Jesus will ensure that staff are subject to the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (including enhanced DBS) in line with both statutory and Catholic Church requirements.
9.2 Appointments will be based on the person's experience, skills and ability to meet the set criteria and job specification for the specific role. It is essential to ensure that all documentation relating to the applicant is stored in a secure place and remains confidential.
9.3 Appointment to a role will not be confirmed until a satisfactory DBS Disclosure check has been received and previous employment references confirmed as being acceptable.
9.4 On appointment, all new employees should be provided with and sign to say they understand all relevant policy and procedures, including a copy of this document and their responsibilities within it highlighted.
9.5 All persons seeking to work with children or adults at risk whether in a paid or unpaid capacity must be provided with the opportunity to self-disclose relevant conviction information. This is a DBS Code of Practice requirement and applies to anyone being asked to have an Enhanced Disclosure.
10. Scotland
While this policy is for the Missionary Reality of the Ursulines of Jesus in the United Kingdom, we note that the sisters who live and work in Scotland have their own standards know as ‘In God’s Image 2’. The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) and the Conference of Religious in Scotland Safeguarding Commission (CRSSC) oversee the implementation and adherence to these standards in line with Scottish Law which differs from that of England and Wales.
10. POLICY REVIEW
This policy is approved by the Ursulines of Jesus trustees and will be reviewed annually or sooner, where there is a significant change or need.
Policy updated: February 2026
Name:
Date: 24.02.26
Date of next review: February 2027
Glossary
Missionary Reality of the United Kingdom
That part of the congregation of the Ursulines of Jesus who are missioned in England, Scotland and Wales
Missionary Reality Coordinator
The Sister names by the Congregational Leader who has responsibility for the Sisters who are members of the Missionary Reality
Trustees
A religious trustee is an individual or group with legal responsibility for managing the assets, finances, and strategic direction of a religious organization or charity. They are responsible for ensuring the organization fulfils its religious purpose, complies with charity law, and acts in the best interest of the faith community
RLSS Religious Life Safeguarding Service
CSSA Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency
SCSSA Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency
CRSSC Conference of Religious in Scotland Safeguarding Commission
DEFINITION OF ADULTS AT RISK
An adult at risk is generally defined as someone aged 18 or over (16+ in some jurisdictions like Scotland) who has needs for care and support, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and, as a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves against that risk or experience.
Key Aspects of the Definition:
Need for Care and Support: The individual may have physical or mental disabilities, chronic illness, or age-related frailty.
Risk of Harm/Abuse: This includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or financial harm, as well as neglect.
Inability to Self-Protect: The core factor is that their condition renders them vulnerable to exploitation or harm
OTHER DOCUMENTS
With our Safeguarding Policy we are adopting the Code of Conduct of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Jesus
Low level Concerns Policy