Reporting a Concern

Urgent Safeguarding Concerns

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. If there is no immediate danger, then please contact the Safeguarding Office directly on 0113 2618046.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.

Any referrals made directly to the Police must also be sent to the Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding office at the same time. The Safeguarding office will inform the Parish Safeguarding Representative.

If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and to the Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding Office. 

Responding to your concerns

The Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding Team is available Monday to Friday 9am– 5pm and can be contacted via: 

Email: Direct any concerns via email to: Safeguarding@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

Phone: You can also report your concerns by speaking to one of our Safeguarding Officers on 0113 2618046

Anyone who brings concerns or allegations to the notice of the Church will be responded to sensitively, respectfully and seriously. All concerns and allegations will be addressed using the Church’s national procedures and in a timely manner.

The Catholic Safeguarding Standard Agency can also be contacted on 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk

Referring to Statutory Agencies

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.

If you are a survivor and do not wish for your details to be shared with the statutory authorities, then the referral can be made anonymously giving the details of the accused person only. 

For Survivors

If you are a survivor of abuse please take a look at our Support for Survivors page where you will find further information about how to report abuse and also what to expect from the Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding Team. 

Finding Help and Support Out of Hours

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is committed to responding to safeguarding concerns, providing support and advice. However, we are unable to offer an emergency or 24-hour service.

Therefore, if you have a concern or wish to speak to somebody outside of office hours, please contact one of the agencies below who are either available on a 24-hour basis, or through the following specialist helplines and services below:

Police 

If you have an immediate concern that a child or adult is in danger, contact the police on 999. You can also contact them via their non-emergency number 101, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Local Authority – Social Care

You can report your concerns to your local children and adult services.

Most local authorities run an out-of-hours helpline, details of which can be found on their website.  

Flowchart – responding to allegations of abuse or concerns about children and adults at risk