Our Safeguarding Structure
The Safeguarding Leadership Team in the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles is composed of Bishop Brian McGee, who is ultimately responsible for safeguarding in the diocese, Canon Michael Hutson, Vicar Episcopal for Safeguarding, Liz Chaplin, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) and Katie Dunn, Safeguarding Secretary.
The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles follows the National Safeguarding Standards as outlined in In God’s Image. The eight National Standards are:
- Creating and maintaining safe Church environments.
- Safely recruiting clergy, religious, lay employees and volunteers.
- Responding to safeguarding concerns and allegations of abuse.
- Providing care and support for those who have experienced abuse.
- Managing and providing care for respondents to allegations of abuse.
- Working together to provide a culture of care.
- Training and support for all responsible for safeguarding.
- Planning for continuous improvement in safeguarding.
DSAG: The purpose of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group is to support the bishop to ensure that the safeguarding arrangements in his diocese are properly embedded within a culture of care DSAG procedures.
The members of DSAG are:
Bishop Brian McGee
Canon Michael Hutson
Rev Ronald Campbell
Liz Chaplin
Marybel MacIntyre
Helen Gilpin
Kenneth Black
Iain Macaulay
Katie Dunn
DRAMT: The purpose of the Diocesan Risk Assessment and Management Team is to give independent advice, support and assistance to the bishop and the DSA regarding safeguarding best practice. Its membership includes people with experience in the legal profession, canon law, health care, social work and the police DRAMT procedures and Guidance on Allegations.
Bishops' Conference of Scotland: The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, together with all the other Catholic Dioceses in Scotland, follows the guidance given by BCoS and works closely with it. Visit the Bishops' Conference here.
SCSSA: The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency is an independent safeguarding agency to promote and assure compliance with the National Safeguarding Standards across all Church jurisdictions in Scotland SCSSA.
Safeguarding Supervision: The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles realises that keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe is integral to our Christian way of life. However, we realise that this can be time consuming and sometimes emotionally draining. Therefore, we take our duty of care seriously and we strive to support everyone who is involved in safeguarding in the diocese. Read our Safeguarding Supervision Policy.
