Safeguarding Children Policy

Welcome to the Tuam Diocesan Safeguarding Children page.

The Archdiocese of Tuam values and encourages the participation of children and young people in all Church liturgies and parish activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We strive to ensure that every child placed in our care is placed in a secure and safe environment.

The Archdiocese of Tuam has for the past six years invested much energy and resources into the development of a clear and robust Safeguarding Children Policy and into the setting up of structures which will support the implementation of such Policy across the diocese.

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Our story thus far:

May ’03 Tuam participates in a pilot Child Protection Programme set up by the Episcopal Conference. Ten people receive Child Protection Training.

Jan ’04 The Tuam Diocesan Child Protection Committee is established. (See below). The aim of this Committee is to develop policy, provide training and create awareness of the issues involved in the area of Child Protection.

The Committee is made up of Ms.Maureen Walsh, Dunmore, Ret. Supt Joe Staunton, Castlebar, Ms Mary Trench, Robeen, Ms Noreen Sadler, Islandeady. Mr Paul Murphy, HSE, Fr.Tod Nolan, Tuam and Mons. John O Boyle, Claremorris.

Maureen Walsh is appointed Chair and Fr. Tod Nolan is appointed Coordinator of Child Protection Training. Mons O Boyle is the Diocesan Child Protection Designated Person.

Jan ‘04 – Sept ‘05 Tuam Diocesan Child Protection Policy is developed. The Policy includes a Policy Statement, Core Procedures and a Code of Conduct. The Policy will act as a template for the development of Parish Policy.

Two members of the Committee receive training as ‘Keeping Safe’ Trainers through the Volunteer Development Association in Belfast.

Sept ‘05-Dec ’05 A two hour Parish Child Protection Presentation is developed and delivered by ten trained volunteers to parishes throughout the diocese. The presentation is attended by the parish clergy, four members of the Pastoral Council and any person who has contact with children in a church context.

’06 – ‘07 Parishes are invited to submit Parish Child Protection Policies for endorsement by the Diocesan Child Protection Committee. Parishes also nominate person to act as Parish Child Protection Representative

‘07 – ’08 The Archdiocese of Tuam becomes part of the HSE West Child Protection initiative and trainers are now accredited by the HSE.

A one day training course is provided for Parish Child Protection Representatives. To date 57 of 62 Parish Representatives have received training.

All parishes, including our five Gaeltact parishes, have attended Child Protection training. Every parish has a Child Protection Policy in place.

Ms Mary Trench is appointed as a second Designated Person

A Diocesan Audit is carried out of parish child protection policy and procedures.

A gathering of all Parish Child Protection Representatives takes place. Representatives will stay in place until December ’09. Parishes will be asked to nominate new Representatives in October ’09

February ‘09 Priests’ Spring Conferences provide updates to all priests on ‘Safeguarding Children – Best Practice in Parish Life’

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Child Protection Committee

This committee has been appointed by the Archbishop to work on his behalf to develop direct and manage all aspect policy development, training and support for parishes within the context of best practice for ministry.

The Diocesan Child Protection Committee has drawn up a Diocesan Child Protection Policy, Core Procedures and a Code of Conduct which provide the guidelines for all Church personnel. These are in accordance with Our Children – Our Church (2005) and with statutory requirements.

Every parish community has been invited to draw up its own Child Protection Policy Statement based on the Diocesan Guidelines. Parish personnel have received training to enable them to identify child protection concerns and to be familiar with diocesan reporting procedures when concerns are raised.

All child protection concerns will be brought to the attention of the Diocesan Designated Person (Fr. John O Boyle or Mrs. Mary Trench). Parish personnel will also be made aware of the pastoral care provisions set up by the diocese for all those affected by abuse.

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Archdiocese of Tuam
Policy Statement

The Archdiocese of Tuam seeks to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to make known the Good News of Christ more fully through worship, service and witness. In keeping with this aim, ministry with children and young people in the Archdiocese is informed by the three Gospel principles of Truth, Justice and Love.
The Archdiocese values and encourages the participation of children and young people in all Church liturgies and parish activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.
The Archdiocese recognizes the dignity and rights of all children and young people and is committed to ensuring their safety and well being in a way that promotes their human dignity, integrity and worth as children of God.
Each child/young person is to be affirmed as a gift of God and has a right to dignity of life and bodily integrity, which must be respected, nurtured and protected. These rights are inalienable by the very fact of their human dignity.
The Archdiocese recognizes that all who work with children and young people have a special duty of care towards them. Leaders must create a safe environment for children and young people in order to secure their protection and enable their full participation in the life of the Church.
The Archdiocese has committed itself to putting procedures in place to ensure the welfare and protection of children and young people together with the welfare of those who work with them. The welfare of the child is always paramount.

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Diocesan Code of Conduct

This code of conduct applies to all adults who work with children and young people on a professional or voluntary basis and to all children and young people in their care:

1. § Children and young people will be treated with courtesy, respect and dignity
2. § There will be an adequate ratio of leaders to children and young people at all times.
3. § Mixed gender groups will have an appropriate number of male and female leaders
4. § Leaders must not work in isolation with children and/or young people. In instances where pastoral need may require privacy for a young person, working in isolation should be undertaken in a transparent and open manner.
5. § Physical contact between children/young people and leaders must be appropriate at all times.
6. § Photographs of children/young people engaged in church related activities may only be taken and/or made public with parental consent
7. § For overnight trips:

•   A pre-check on accommodation and transport     arrangements        must be undertaken
•   Information session for all young people and their parents  must be held

Diocesan Core Procedures

The Diocese is committed to have the following procedures in place. These Procedures and Code of Conduct will be made known to both parents/guardians and to children and young people;

1. § A code of conduct for children, young people and all adults who work with them
2. § Procedures for recruiting, overseeing and supporting adult leaders working with children and young people
3. § Appropriate supervision ratios of adults to children and young people.
4. § Adequate record keeping processes.
5. § A clearly communicated Accident/Emergency plan
6. § Procedures to respond to internal conflicts and disciplinary issues.
7. § Procedures for reporting Child Protection concerns and or complaints
8. § The Archdiocese has appointed Designated Persons to whom all concerns and/or complaints are brought. He/she will respond promptly and will liaise with the required civil authority and church authority
9. § Each parish will have access to a Child Protection Representative. The responsibilities of the Parish Child Protection Representative  will be:
1. 1. § To promote awareness of the Church’s child protection policies.
   2. § To ensure that the public has ready access to contact details for the Designated Person and relevant HSE officials.
   3. § To facilitate anyone in the parish in bringing an allegation or suspicion of child abuse to the attention of the Designated Person should they wish to have such support.
10. § The Archdiocese is committed to healing and reconciliation. Support persons are available to both victim and accused.

Confidentiality Statement

The Archdiocese is committed to keeping confidential all personal information about children and their families. The only exception may be when child protection concerns arise in relation to a child. In this situation information will be shared on a need to know basis in the best interest of the child.

Apendices

I. Recruiting Procedures

1. Develop clear job descriptions.
2. All vacancies (paid or voluntary) should be openly advertised.
3. Application forms should be used for recruitment to all posts.
4. Applicants should be required to provide photo identity and the names of two referees who can attest to their suitability for working with children and young people.
5. Verbal contact must be made with all referees
6. Applicants should sign a Staff/Volunteer Declaration Form
7. Suitable applicants must be interviewed by an interview panel
8. All personnel – lay people, religious and clergy – should undertake a recognised programme of child protection training.
9. Up-to-date files should be kept in respect of all personnel; these should include application forms, references and other relevant documentation.

II. Record Keeping

Adequate record keeping includes the following:

1. Membership Forms – to include medical information, treatment permission as appropriate and contact numbers for parents / guardians
2. Signed Parental Consent Forms [general & special]
3. Accident/Incident Report  Forms
4. HSE recording form
5. Volunteer Application forms
6. Declaration Forms
7. Training records
8. Attendance Records
9. Activity records
10. Activity reviews/evaluations

III. Recommended Supervision Ratios

1.         The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997 have the following requirements for adult/child ratios:

1. 1. The Code of Good Practice – Child Protection for the Youth Work Sector recommends the following:

The minimum adult/young person ratio in any group should ideally be one adult per group of eight plus one other adult, and allowing an additional adult for each group of eight thereafter. Local circumstances, the ages of the children, the experience of the volunteers and the staff should be taken into consideration.  Safety, ability/disability of young people and the nature of the activities being undertaken may require that these ratios be considerably lower.

Parish Child Protection Training

In keeping with ‘Our Children, our Church’ and in order to satisfy statutory requirements each Parish/Church-area is required to develop its own Child Protection Policy.

In order to facilitate this process the Child Protection Committee has prepared and presented to all parishes a Two-hour Awareness Raising and Training Module on Child Protection.

This two hour session will:

1. § Introduce participants to the guiding principles and context for Child Protection
2. § Create awareness of what is meant by abuse
3. § Give guidelines on how to deal with disclosure
4. § Introduce Diocesan Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct and Core Procedures
5. § Familiarise participants with Diocesan and Parish Child Protection personnel.
6. § Enable parishes to begin the development of Policy, Procedures and Code of Conduct at local parish/church area level

Each Parish, or Church-area which has a Pastoral Council was asked to ensure that at least six people attend this training module. That number included the local priest, four members of the Pastoral Council and anyone who has contact with children in a Church setting – eg. Sacristan, Choir mistress etc.

Parish Child Protection Representative

Each Parish has been required to nominate a person who will act as Parish Child Protection Representative.  The role and function of the Parish Representative is outlined in the Diocesan Child Protection Policy Statement. The Parish Child Protection Representative plays an essential role in our overall policy and as such will receive appropriate training. The person who is nominated should be:

• § A person of good standing in community
• § Approachable
• § Sensitive to the issues involved
• § Capable of Confidentiality
• § Not directly involved with children in a church context