Our Lady of Mercy

Providing a safe environment for children, vulnerable adults and others is not only a legal and moral obligation, but a spiritual obligation that falls to every member of the parish community. By virtue of our baptism we have all assumed the responsibility for making sure our parish community and our ministries and activities are characterised by mutual respect and a desire to attain the highest standards in safeguarding. While the parish clergy, safeguarding representatives and others take on this responsibility in a particular way, the words of Jesus above remind us all of our need to look for the wellbeing of each other—especially the most needy and vulnerable members of our community. Safeguarding policies and procedures are also designed to protect individuals who serve in the name of the church and empower them to serve with love and confidence.

In all our parish ministries and activities we implement fully the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. As a result of this, some  parish ministries will require ministers to have a current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before they are allowed to minister and/or undergo special safeguarding training. There is no cost involved to the parishioner and one of the parish safeguarding representatives will help guide you through the process. If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Safeguarding Representatives whose details are below and on our church notice boards. You can also speak with any of the parish clergy or with the safeguarding office for the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle.

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased. Please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the Diocesan safeguarding office by tel: 0191 243 3305 or by email: safeguarding@diocesehn.org.uk. You can also contact the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.