Safeguarding Resources
Updated: Sep 18
sources of training, support and other resources
Some Key Links
Other Resources and Links
Presentation: Safeguarding for spiritual directors – produced in 2018 and so not up to date, this is a helpful example of a safeguarding training session devised specifically for Spiritual Directors in a diocese. (link to view/download)
When Safeguarding Overshoots: A reflective briefing for supervisors, practitioners and managers. By Allan Walter (link to view/download).
Church of England – National Safeguarding team resources for Spiritual Directors
There are two packages for use specifically with Spiritual Directors. Produced in 2023, they are available for those with appropriate permissions to deliver safeguarding training on behalf of the Church of England. All CofE Safeguarding staff should be able to provide this for spiritual directors in their diocese.
Basic Awareness and Foundation combined which is suitable for spiritual directors
A shorter package for use with Spiritual Directors if they have already completed Basic Awareness and Foundation.
Knowledge of these resources amongst diocesan safeguarding teams seems to be somewhat scant, so they may need to be pressed to source them from the Church of England's National Safeguarding team.
Spiritual Accompaniment on Retreats
This is the text St Beuno’s Retreat Centre (www.beunos.com) 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.
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