promoting and protecting good practice sub-group: resources
Safeguarding - examples of resources in use
Church of England – National Safeguarding team resources for Spiritual Directors
These were produced in 2023 for use specifically with Spiritual Directors. They can be found on the CofE National Safeguarding Training Portal for those with the appropriate permissions to deliver training on behalf of the church.
We are sharing the pdf’s here so that you can see what is available. Diocesan Safeguarding Teams will be able to access and deliver the modules.
There are two packages:
1 Basic Awareness and Foundation combined which is suitable for spiritual directors
Text St Beuno’s Retreat Centre use regarding Safeguarding that is provided to all retreatants.
SAFEGUARDING
At St. Beuno’s we care about the safety and wellbeing of everyone and work in accordance with the safeguarding policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. We refer any allegations or disclosures of abuse made against someone working for the Church (clergy, religious, employees, volunteers), whether in the past or recent and regardless of whether the accused person is living or dead, to the Jesuit Province Safeguarding Coordinator.
We also refer any disclosures against any person where there may be current risk to a child or adult at risk. The safeguarding coordinator will take any necessary next steps, which may include the possibility of making a report to the statutory authorities.
Whether a matter is to be reported or not, the Jesuit Province is able to offer professional support to individuals who have made such disclosures while at St. Beuno’s.
Only the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) guarantees absolute confidentiality. It is possible that a retreatant may assume that spiritual direction is treated in the same way as confession, and it will be the responsibility of the retreat director to make it clear to the retreatant if they are disclosing material that the director may not be able to treat confidentially.
If you have any questions about confidentiality, please discuss them with your retreat guide.
