OLI Parish

The statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary above the altar

"Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 357


	Child Protection



	Among its other activities, the Parish provides spiritual, catechetical and pastoral care and activities for children and young people. The Parish is committed to protecting and safeguarding children and young people. In accordance with recommendations from the Archdiocese of Southwark and the first report of the Nolan Committee, the Parish drew up its own Child Protection Policy three years ago.

	Since that time, the Final Report of the Nolan Committee has been issued and COPCA, the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults has been set up by the Bishops of England and Wales.

	In addition, the Archdiocese of Southwark has set up its own Child Protection Team with Fr John Kavanagh as the Archbishop's Representative for Child Protection issues and Helen Sheppard as the Diocesan Child Protection Officer.

	The parish of Our Lady Immaculate, Tolworth is committed to working with the Archdiocese of Southwark's Child Protection Team and with COPCA.

	Within our parish we have 2 Parish Children's Representatives. They are Monica Tett & the Parish Priest and they can be contacted through the parish office.

	The policy of Our Lady Immaculate Parish, Tolworth is intended to address six issues:

	To raise awareness within the parish of the need to protect its most vulnerable members, and how that protection can best be effected; To ensure the protection of children, young people and all vulnerable members of the parish, while they are engaged in parish activities: To regulate the appointment and training of parish volunteers working or proposing to work with children, young people and any other vulnerable members of the parish; To ensure that any allegations of abuse are addressed quickly and efficiently, while offering maximum protection to the alleged victim, and ensuring that the rights of the alleged abuser are protected; To ensure that parish volunteers are protected from false allegations and To ensure that where a known offender joins the parish community, children and young people are protected, and that the offender is protected from all unjust treatment.

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	For further information please contact the parish office.

	With acknowledgement to The Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Blackfen