Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland wish to ensure that there is transparency in the arrangements for Safeguarding in Catholic parishes and organisations throughout Scotland. In 2013 the Bishops established the McLellan Commission to review Safeguarding practice in the Catholic Church in Scotland. Its report was published in 2015, at which time we published our own plan for implementing its recommendations. This plan led to the publication of IN GOD'S IMAGE as an 'Instruction' from the Bishops of Scotland, directing the approach to Safeguarding which must be followed in every Catholic Diocese in Scotland, with effect from 21st May 2018.

IN GOD'S IMAGE version 2 (IGIv2) emerged from a 9-month period of consultation, reflection and discussion.  It makes reference to key statements made by Pope Francis and to instructions and norms published by the Holy See in recent years. It came into effect on 8th September 2021.  The text of IGIv2 is available ONLINE here.

The SCOTTISH CATHOLIC SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS AGENCY has been established to monitor and assure compliance with safeguarding standards set out in IN GOD'S IMAGE.  Registered with Companies House as a 'Community Interest Company', it operates independently of the Bishops' Conference, with its own employees and Board of non-executive Directors.  For more details, visit this website.

Supporting Survivors

In seeking to respond to the scandal of abuse and to appreciate the deep wounds caused by it in the lives of victims and survivors, the Church must learn how best to accompany them on their individual journeys towards healing. We must find ways to walk with them, listen to them, learn from them, and continue to support them. This should be the hallmark of the safeguarding culture in every parish, every religious community, every diocese, and every Catholic organisation in Scotland. (In God's Image V2, p7)

Survivors can click here to find out more about the support provided by the Church.

2023 Day of Prayer for all who have suffered abuse

Each year the Catholic Church in Scotland sets aside a day to pray for those who have suffered any form of abuse.  This day is scheduled in the Church's calendar for the Friday following Ash Wednesday each year.  Liturgical resources are provided by the Bishops' Conference to encourage prayers being offered in Catholic Churches and homes for this intention. 

The 2023 Day of Prayer will take place on Friday 24th February 2023.  

This year's liturgical resources for use in parishes can be found here.

SAFEGUARDING RESOURCES

INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUDIT REPORTS

Safeguarding Audit Report - Diocese of Paisley
This report of an independent audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Paisley, carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, was published on 22nd August 2022.
Safeguarding Audit Report - Diocese of Argyll and the Isles
This report of an independent audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, was published on 11th July 2022.
Safeguarding Audit Report - Diocese of Dunkeld

This report of an independent audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Dunkeld, carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, was published on 22nd June 2022.

Safeguarding Audit Report - Archdiocese of Glasgow


This report of an independent audit of safeguarding in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, was published on 6th June 2022.

Safeguarding Audit Report - Diocese of Motherwell

This report of an independent audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Motherwell, carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, was published on 19th July 2021.

Safeguarding Audit Report - Diocese of Aberdeen

This report of an independent audit of safeguarding in the Diocese of Aberdeen, carried out by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, was published on 25th June 2021.

Safeguarding Audit Report - Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh
Safeguarding Audit Report - Diocese of Galloway
This report was published in January 2020.
INDEPENDENT REVIEW GROUP REPORTS

IRG Report October 2021
The third annual report of the Independent Review Group
IRG Report June 2020

The second report of the Independent Review Group was published in June 2020.

McLellan Report: Implementation Plan

Implementation Plan of Recommendations of the McLellan ReportThe Implementation Plan of the Recommendations
of The McLellan Commission may be downloaded here.

In 2015 the Bishops published this document to outline their strategy for implementing the recommendations of the McLellan Commission.

SCAI - Talk To Us Leaflet
Please download the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry – Talk to Us Leaflet here

For more information on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, please see their website: https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot


Safeguarding Allegations Audits

In 2013 the Bishops of Scotland published an audit of all the allegations of abuse which had been disclosed to any Diocese or Religious Congregation in the period 2006 - 2012. 

They committed to publish such data annually thereafter. 

In 2018 they published a statistical review of all historical abuse cases for the period 1943 to 2005.

These figures are provided in the links shown below.

Statistical Review of Historical Abuse Cases 1943 to 2005
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