TRUSTEES’ MEETING SATURDAY 15th MARCH 2025.

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Summary Report: Trustees’ Safeguarding Committee 4th February 2024

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1. Introductions: In attendance in person were Mrs Fiona Bateman, Mr James Reilly (Chair), Mr Jim Gallagher, Mrs Julie Ashby-Ellis, Fr Paul O’Reilly SJ, Fr David Smolira SJ, Fr Provincial and Mrs Nadra Gadeed. Mrs Fiona Robb supported taking the minutes of the non-confidential items. Approval was given to minutes of November 7th, and the action log reviewed with future actions recorded. In the light of close bereavement suffered by Julie Ashby Ellis it was agreed to shorten this meeting and concentrate on the work with victim/survivors and safety management plans.

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2. Work with Victim/Survivors and Safety Management Plans: Nadra Gadeed reported on her work with 6 victim/survivors four of which are historical where the perpetrator is deceased. One is a concern still under investigation and yet to be determined as a safeguarding matter. In relation to safeguarding management plans: There are no Jesuits subject to safety management plans. In her update on concerns raised at the November meeting JAE one of these related to misconduct and appropriate remedial action has been taken. In the second matter, which had been reviewed by a panel, the individual concerned is engaged in conversations with the Provincial. A complaint was received in relation to an employee of the LJC but this was a misconduct matter and resolved under those procedures.

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3. Jesuit Schools. Investigations are continuing into complaints at Mount St Mary’s College (MSM), notified to the Jesuit Safeguarding team and a number of other agencies and raised at meetings of the Jesuit Trustees’ Safeguarding Committee. At the TSC’s February meeting, MSM is under the leadership of the Interim Head. Since the November update on this protracted process overseen by the school governors, there are continuing concerns on how this matter is being progressed by the relevant governors. In March a further LADO and statutory bodies meeting is due to review the outcome of the review and formal investigation.
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{Subsequent to the TSC February meeting, the Jesuits’ Safeguarding Coordinator, JAE, has updated the Provincial and others regarding the MSM Chair of Governors decisions about the Headteacher’s departure and associated arrangements. The Deputy Headteacher has now been appointed to the permanent position of Headteacher, replacing the Interim Head. JAE has also updated on the reaction of the LADO and statutory bodies at their March meeting with the chair and one other governor. Given that at the conclusion of that meeting there remained substantive misgivings with the present leadership of safeguarding in the school, all parties are now considering further statutory action in relation to the school. As this level of concern continues, Trustees will be updated on these developments, as they reinforce the related concerns which the Committee has been raising  relating to shortcomings in governance at the school, with regard to the possible implications for the Province.
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These ongoing concerns further reinforce the recommendations the Committee made to the last Trustees’ meeting to commission a formal review of the statement of collaboration and other undertakings between the Province and the independent trust schools. Secondly, the Committee also recommended that Fr Provincial and Trustees obtain from legal advisors a definitive position on their respective legal obligations and powers that pertain to Fr Provincial and Trustees in relation to the governance of all schools associated with the Province. It is hoped that these recommendations will now be supported by the Trustees and progressed in a timely manner.}

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4. Other Matters.
In this shortened meeting other matters arising included:

• A number of religious bodies including the Province have continuing concerns with the MOU of the Bishops relating to parishes and safeguarding. The Committee shares those concerns and would not support the Province agreeing to this MOU as it does not satisfy the expected standards relating to accountability regarding safeguarding given the relationship of the parishes to the dioceses.
• CSSA (E&W) have confirmed the date of their audit of the Province’s safeguarding arrangements will start on September 8 th 2025. JAE has a good working relationship with the leads in CSSA and is confident that all necessary work to support the audit is in hand.
• Colleagues from the Irish Province have agreed to join us at our meeting on April 8 th in Birmingham. They will review with us the learning points from the Marmion Report (independent review into the abuse of a prolific offending by a Jesuit); the outcome of the national enquiry into abuse in independent catholic schools in Ireland and the most recent action of that province to name Jesuits with credible allegations of abuse against them. It is hoped that Andrew Johnson, Delegate for Education in the British Province will be able to join this session.

The date of the next meeting of the Committee is Tuesday 8th April 2025.

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*Updated on 15 October 2025 to make the information clearer, including the timeline of events.

*The name of Karen Keeton has been removed from this summary report. The Jesuits in Britain apologise for any confusion caused by the way the information was previously presented. No criticism of the quality of her leadership was intended.