Our vision is for everyone to be assured that all children and vulnerable adults are always safe in any involvement with the Catholic Church in Scotland – in Church places and activities, and with Church people.
Our purpose in being independent is to offer assurance through the promotion of national standards of safeguarding practice.
We monitor safeguarding practice in every Catholic diocese, religious community and Catholic organisation in Scotland.
We report on our findings and determine where improvement is required.
We set expectations of what training is required to be undertaken by those responsible for safeguarding.
Our work is greatly informed and enriched by the efforts of so many involved in safeguarding in Scotland and beyond.
We are always keen to listen to survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church. Our work is informed by the traumatic experiences of those who have suffered abuse.
We work with those responsible for safeguarding in all Catholic dioceses and parishes in Scotland.
We regularly meet with members of Catholic religious communities of consecrated women and men and Catholic lay organisations to discuss safeguarding practice in their contexts.
We also work with a range of agencies and organisations involved in safeguarding, both in the Catholic Church and in the secular world. We are keen to discover and share best practice in safeguarding through collaboration with centres of excellence.
Paul is our Director of Safeguarding, responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the agency. Paul was formerly a Detective Superintendent with Police Scotland and then worked with the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO).
CONTACT: paul.donaldson@scssa.org.uk
Helena is our Head of Safeguarding Training, responsible for developing training resources to enhance the knowledge and skills of all those who are responsible for safeguarding in the Church. Helena was formerly the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor in the Diocese of Galloway.
CONTACT: helena.rameckers@scssa.org.uk
Mary is our Office Administrator, responsible for providing effective support to members of the SCSSA staff and Board and for managing administration and operational services and functions across the office.
CONTACT: admin@scssa.org.uk
The SCSSA is led by a Board of Directors with significant experience in public service, in the judiciary, safeguarding, legal services, health, social work, education and care. The Board sets the strategic priorities for the agency. To assist in the development of the Agency and to progress the work required to build strong foundations for its future the SCSSA Board is supported by five subcommittees, each led by a Board Director. The Terms of Reference for each subcommittee can be found below.
Lady Rita Rae (Chair) has led a distinguished legal career as a solicitor and a KC. She is a former Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland and continues to sit part-time as a Judge. She was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow in 2019.
Pat O’Meara (Vice Chair) is a former strategic commander with the Scottish Ambulance Service. He also acts as Chief Medical Support Officer to the UK Army Cadets. He has served as a trustee of several charities.
Marie Connell is a former Detective Inspector with Police Scotland. Her post with the Crime Management and Concern Hub in L Division involved her in working closely with partner agencies - social work, health, education - in relation to Child & Adult Protection, Domestic Abuse and missing persons. Marie leads our 'Education and Training' subcommittee.
Sr Helen is a member of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. She is a qualified Canon Lawyer who provides advice to solicitors, dioceses, clergy and religious congregations on canonical matters. She is an author, academic writer and lecturer of some distinction. Sr Helen leads our 'Finance & Remuneration' subcommittee.
Greg Gallagher is a former Senior Manager, Head of Service and Director of Children’s Services in the Third Sector and in Local Government Social Work Services. Greg leads our 'Policy and Resources' subcommittee.
Mary Kearns qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and as a solicitor advocate in 1995. She was a litigation partner in a large Scottish legal firm. From 2016 until October 2022, Mary was Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor to the Diocese of Paisley on a voluntary basis. Mary leads our 'Survivor Engagement' subcommittee.
Pauline McDonald is Director of Operations with Scottish Autism and has extensive safeguarding experience across the third sector. Pauline leads our 'Safeguarding and Audit' subcommittee.
Christopher Moore is the Principal and Chief Executive of New College Lanarkshire, having previously served as Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Assistant Vice Principal and Professor at Universities in Scotland and England.