childprotectionpolicy

p. 2	Table of Contents
p. 3	Diocesan Child Protection Policy Statement
p. 4	General Principles Guiding Best Practice in the Diocese
p. 6	Diocesan Code of Good Practice - Basic Procedures List
p. 7	Diocesan Code of Conduct - Basics for Working with Children and Young People
p. 9	Diocesan Code of Conduct - Basics for Children & Young People
p. 10	Appendix 1: Confidentiality Statement
p. 11	Appendix 2: Information Details
p. 12	Appendix 3: Recruitment Procedures
p. 13	Appendix 4: What is Child Abuse?
p. 16	Appendix 5: Recommended Supervision Ratios

The Diocese of Raphoe recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children and young people and is committed to their protection and support in a way that promotes their human dignity and integrity as children of God. The Diocese values and encourages the participation of children and young people in parish liturgies and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.

In keeping with this we in the Diocese undertake to do all in our power to create safe environments for children and young people so as to ensure their protection from physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

The Diocese 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. We recognise that the management and appropriate handling of child protection and welfare is a skilled and delicate task which requires knowledge, expertise and sensitivity and we are committed to a coordinated and inter-agency approach to ensuring that the welfare of the child is paramount in all we do.

· Values and encourages the active participation of children and young people in the life of the Church in ways that enhance their physical, emotional and spiritual growth within the safe, secure and welcoming environment of their Faith community. Each person should feel valued, encouraged and affirmed;

· Recognises and upholds the fundamental right of the individual child and young person to be respected, nurtured, cared for and protected. These rights are embedded both in our Gospel values and civil legislation;

· Acknowledges and reaffirms its commitment to the care and protection of children and young people as ‘children of God’, with intrinsic dignity and irreducible worth;

· Believes that Child Protection is everyone’s responsibility, but accepts that all those working with children and young people in Church ministries have a special duty of care towards them;

· Is committed to ‘best practice’ in the area of Child Protection, including:

o The development of effective structures for safeguarding children and young people

o Responding to suspicions or allegations of child abuse, which includes cooperating with the relevant civil authorities.

· Is engaging in a process of working towards a set of policies and procedures for those who have responsibility for the protection of children and young people in the life of the Church;

· Is willing to listen to children and young people and involve them, where appropriate in decision-making;

· Promotes an ethos and approach which at all times gives paramount consideration to the welfare of the child and young person.

· Undertakes to inform parents/guardians/primary carers of our Child Protection Policy

· In the event of a concern about the welfare of a child or young person we will:

o If there are child protection concerns the diocese is obliged to pass these on to the designated person and / or duty social worker

o In the event of a complaint against a member of staff we will immediately ensure the safety of the child and inform the parents/ guardians/ primary carers as appropriate.

If you or anyone you know has a child protection concern or wishes to report an allegation directly to the statutory authorities please contact the Garda or the Local HSE and ask to speak to the Duty Social Worker.

If you or anyone has a child protection concern, or wishes to report an allegation of child abuse directly to church authorities, please contact the Diocesan Delegated Person. (This applies in particular to a concern or allegation in relation to any member of church personnel)

Diocesan Delegated Person: Fr. Kevin O’Doherty, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal.

If you or anyone you know requires support or pastoral care in relation to a child protection or child abuse issue please contact the following Pastoral Care Person:

In order to support the Diocesan Policy it is necessary that the following procedures are implemented:

1. A clearly defined process for the recruitment and supervision of adults working with children and young people which will include:

2. A code of conduct/behaviour for Church personnel and a separate code of conduct/behaviour for children and young people.

3. A duty roster of adults to ensure adequate supervision of children and young people at all times.

4. The Diocese recommends the appropriate supervision ratios of adults to children and young people at all times, ensuring no child or young person is left alone with an adult. In addition, no adult should ever be left alone with a group. {See Appendix 5}

5. Signed parental/guardian consent for all activities/participant forms, ensuring that the role of parents as the primary carers is recognised.

6. Contact information for parents/guardians. Two contact numbers: land line and mobile.

7. Information on events for children and young people and their parents/guardians.

12. Information sessions in best practice in child protection for all parish personnel to be held regularly.

14. For away trips and pilgrimages, the above procedures must be followed, and in addition a pre-check on accommodation and transport arrangements must be made.

15. Named group leader/designated person who can be contacted in relation to the welfare and protection of children and young people.

16. Procedures for review of all policy, procedures and training on an annual basis.

Diocesan Code of Conduct – Basics for Working with Children and Young People

In order to support the Diocesan policy and procedures it is necessary that the following Code of Conduct be applied as a minimum standard for all those who work with children and young people. Working within a clear Code of Conduct protects children and all those who work with them in the ministries and pastoral activities of the parish.

· Children and young people will be treated with courtesy, respect and dignity.

· Leaders[*] will always engage with children and young people in an open manner and care will be taken not to show favouritism.

· There will be an adequate ratio of leaders to children and young people at all times. Leaders should not work alone with children and young people.

· Care will be taken to ensure that when working with mixed gender groups leaders of mixed gender will work in pairs.

· Leaders will not smoke or consume alcohol while having responsibility for or in the presence of young people who are in their care.

· Under no circumstances should Church personnel give alcohol, tobacco or drugs to children or young people.

· Leaders will not be permitted to use inappropriate language or make sexually suggestive comments, either to each other or to children or young people.

· Physical contact between children or young people and leaders will be of an appropriate nature at all times. Leaders will not engage in rough play with each other or with children or young people.

· Leaders will not undertake any task of a personal nature with /for children or young people, except in the case of medical necessity when the welfare of the children or young people depends on it. Any such act undertaken should be explained to the child or young person.

· Leaders will not give their personal details or make contact with children or young people outside organised events.

· Personal details of children and/or young people will be held only by the named leader/designated person.

· The right to privacy of children and young people will be respected at all times.

· Where a Church activity involves the use of computers and email, an internet policy will be put in place.

· Permission will be sought from parents/guardians for the taking and use of photographs.

· There will be leaders within each group with whom the children and young people can speak about their experience and raise any concerns.

· The Diocese will have a designated person assigned to whose immediate attention all concerns and/or complaints can be brought.

· The designated person will respond promptly to all child protection concerns and liaise with the required civil and Church authorities.

· All concerns and complaints will be acknowledged in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with guidelines.

· The diocese will have a specific Code of Conduct for all away trips including pilgrimages, day trips and incentive events. This Code of Conduct will be made known to the children and young people as well as to leaders, parents, guardians/carers.

· A Code of Conduct including an anti-bullying policy specific to children and young people will be drawn up in direct consultation with children and young people.

It is important that children and young people know the limits and boundaries appropriate to their own behaviour and that of others. Therefore a Code of Conduct specific to children and young people must be drawn up in direct consultation with children and young people. Age-appropriate language should be used. It is important that each group of children and young people directly contribute to the formation of their Code of Conduct.

Ø Children and young people will be aware of the Code of Conduct that leaders have to adhere to.

Ø The code should reflect the dignity and rights of each child and young person and it should encourage respectful behaviour.

Ø Children and young people will respect the fact that leaders will not work alone with them.

Ø Children and young people will treat each other and their leaders with courtesy, respect and dignity.

Ø In keeping with civil law children and young people will not be permitted to consume alcohol or smoke while participating in activities.

Ø Inappropriate language or sexually suggestive comments will not be permitted.

Children and young people are to be consulted about drawing up an all inclusive anti- bullying policy.

Appendix 1

The Diocese of Raphoe recognises the importance of ensuring people’s rights to confidentiality and is committed to keeping confidential all personal information about children and their families. The only exception may be when child protection or welfare 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 as follows:

· Information will only be forwarded on a “need to know” basis in order to safeguard the child/young person.

· Giving information to appropriately designated persons and/or statutory authorities for the protection of a child in not a breach of confidentiality.

· Primary Carers have a right to know if personal information is being shared and a report is being made to the HSE unless doing so could put the child at further risk.

Appendix 2

The following information should be displayed in a prominent place in each church in the Diocese

Diocesan Delegated Person: Fr. Kevin O’Doherty, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal.

If you or anyone you know requires support or pastoral care in relation to a child protection or child abuse issue please contact the following Pastoral Care Person:

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3