Scotland's Redress Scheme: combined annual report 2025

4.9 The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul

The Daughters of Charity continue to support survivors of abuse, work closely with the Redress Team and ensure that all safeguarding policies and procedures within the Congregation are of the highest standard and adhered to by all members of the Congregation and employees.

During the course of the last year, 7 December 2023 to 6 December 2024, we responded to 77 requests for verification regarding residence in our establishments in Scotland. These requests came from Wellbeing Scotland, Birthlink, solicitors and individuals. Subsequently we also verified these requests for the Redress Team and confirmed any previous payment given to individuals.

The Congregation’s archivist was readily available to assist the safeguarding team when, on a few occasions, verification was problematic.

As with previous years, all requests were dealt with swiftly, in order to minimise any anxiety arising for survivors in undertaking the process for redress.

Two letters of apology were written by the Provincial, and it is hoped that this helped in the healing process for individuals. Included in these letters is always a willingness to meet with and listen to the person concerned, if they so wish.

Pastoral support has been given to several people who have engaged with the Congregation and practical assistance was given to one person. One request for funding for professional help was received and granted during this year.

No requests were received throughout the course of the year, to assist in tracing or reuniting families. This, we assume, is due to the fact that today, the average age of those who resided in our Care Establishments is approximately 60 years of age.

The Safeguarding Team, along with the Archivist and legal representatives are open to assisting anyone from our Care Establishments, who requests support of any kind.

The annual Memorial Service in Lanark, organised by the Chair of INCAS (In Care Abuse Survivors) and the Provincial of the Daughters of Charity, took place in August. This was very well attended by survivors, Daughters of Charity and a few representatives from the Redress Team, whom we were delighted to welcome. The Daughters of Charity organised and financed a meal at the local Golf Club for everyone, which was greatly appreciated. As this was such a success, the Trustees of the Daughters of Charity have agreed to finance a meal for everyone in the Golf Club after the Memorial Service, each year.

With regard to governance, there is a named Safeguarding Trustee, who meets regularly with the Safeguarding Team. Safeguarding is an item on the agenda at the monthly Trustee meeting and the Policy is reviewed annually and distributed to all the members of the Congregation to read and adhere to.

Also, all active members of the Congregation undertook Safeguarding Training during the course of the year, as well as each member of the Board of Trustees. The Safeguarding Administrator ensures that all PVGs/DBSs are current.

As the Daughters of Charity reside in both Scotland and England, they are actively involved in the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) as well as the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) and the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) in England.

We continue to work tirelessly, to ensure that all aspects of governance regarding safeguarding are adhered to, that all members of the Congregation understand safeguarding as integral to their lives and the lives of those with whom they have contact, and that we respond to all survivors with openness and respect.