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Diocese of East Anglia Safeguarding Coordinator, Mick Thurley, recently spoke to over 150 criminal justice delegates on the subject of Safeguarding within the Catholic Church at a conference in Cambridgeshire.
The event was hosted by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough National Probation Service at Hinchingbrooke Country Park. Mick informed them of the safeguarding journey of the Catholic Church, the safeguarding structures both nationally and within the diocese and parishes. He also spoke of the pivotal role of key persons including the Bishop, clergy, and the diocesan Safeguarding Team, which includes the Parish Safeguarding Representatives. Mick also spoke about the management of offenders within our communities.
Other presenters at the conference included members of the Cambridgeshire Police referral hub, Children’s Services, Domestic Abuse specialists and a charity working with homeless persons. Following the presentations, Mick was invited to be part of a panel of experts answering questions relating to safeguarding.
After the event, Mick said: “This was a great opportunity for us to showcase what we do and it was important that we support the statutory authorities in events such as these and also promote safeguarding within the Catholic Church, and of course the diocese. Part of my presentation was around victims and how we listen to and respond to allegations, and I would urge anyone effected by abuse to speak to me or someone in their parish.”
Matthew Ryder, Head of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Probation Services said, “Mick’s insightful and informative presentation as part of the Safeguarding Panel left a lasting impact on our team. The depth of knowledge and expertise he shared with the staff group enriched our understanding of Safeguarding from a multi-agency perspective. His dedication to creating safer communities and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society came across powerfully.
“The knowledge and inspiration he provided will undoubtedly guide our team as we continue our mission to empower individuals and create positive change in our communities.”
Pictured above is Mick Thurley (far left) on the expert panel at Hinchingbrooke.
