Frequently asked questions

Are you a national organisation?
No. We are one of 18 Catholic social welfare agencies throughout England and Wales. Each agency works on behalf of their own Diocese and is independent of the others. Nevertheless, a strong spirit of co-operation exists between all agencies.

What is the Diocese of Westminster?
The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales is divided geographically into Dioceses. The Westminster Archdiocese consists of the London Boroughs north of the Thames, including Middlesex and the county of Hertfordshire. Our Adoption Service extends to Essex and nationally, as required. Our Post Adoption and Care service is national and international in its scope.

Do you only work with Catholics?
No. Our aim is to serve the whole community, regardless of race or faith.

How is your work funded?
We receive no statutory funding from local or national government or from the Diocese. We rely heavily on the generosity of individuals, schools, parishes, grant funding and the corporate sector to be able to offer our services.

Why do you have two titles?
The Society was founded in 1859 and was named the Crusade of Rescue with the purpose of ‘rescuing’ destitute and orphaned children from a life on the street by offering them residential care and a basic education. The Roman Catholic church was also concerned that without a steadying background, young Catholics could easily be distanced from their faith, hence the secondary aim of ‘rescuing’ children back into their faith. This name was updated in the 1980’s to the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster) but we retain the reference to our earlier identity to help adult adoptees, birth relatives or those who are searching for information about family, to trace us.