Parish Safeguarding Representatives

​

Parish Safeguarding Representatives (PSRs) are volunteers who work closely with their Parish Priest to support and promote safeguarding within the parish community. They play a vital role in raising awareness and helping to ensure our parishes remain safe and welcoming places for all.

If you are already serving as a PSR, you will have completed a recruitment process with the Diocesan Safeguarding Office. As part of this, you will have been introduced to diocesan safeguarding policies, guidance, forms, and the ongoing support and training available to help you in your role.

​

The work of a PSR is central to parish life because it encourages a culture of safeguarding and provides reassurance that the wellbeing of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is always taken seriously.

In practice, a Parish Safeguarding Representative helps to:

​

• Recognise and respond to concerns — understanding when a behaviour or disclosure may indicate a safeguarding issue and responding appropriately. This may include contacting the Police or Social Services where necessary, but always involves reporting to the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, who assumes responsibility for managing the case.

 

• Support safe recruitment — ensuring that volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults are safely recruited. This includes collecting two references, completing a DBS check with a satisfactory outcome, and obtaining a signed self-declaration form before any role begins.

 

• Promote safeguarding awareness — sharing key safeguarding messages (such as the national policy on creating safer environments) and encouraging a strong culture of safeguarding throughout the parish.