Arrangements in churches are crucial

All churches and faith communities are expected to have in place arrangements which include:

• Procedures to respond to and report concerns
• Codes of practice
• Safe recruitment procedures
• In the same way arrangements must be in place to respond to concerns about any form of abuse or maltreatment of a vulnerable adult.

The principles contained in No Secrets (DoH 2000) and Safeguarding Adults: A National Framework for Good Practice (ADSS 2005) must be followed with the acknowledgement that the Catholic Church in England and Wales must not act alone but in partnership with all other agencies to combat the abuse of vulnerable adults.