Child Protection Policy

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Child Protection Policy
We in the parishes of St. Mary’s in Edgeworthstown, Rathowen and Streete value and encourage the participation of Children and Young People in all parish activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.

We recognise the Dignity and Rights of all children and are committed to ensuring their protection and support.

In keeping with this we will work to do all in our power to create safe environments for children and young people in order to secure their protection and enable their full participation in the life of our Church and our Parishes.

Core Procedures for Working With Children and Young People:
Our Parish undertakes to have the following in place:

  • Procedures for recruitment and overseeing Adult Leaders working with young people.
  • A General Code of Conduct for all Adult Leaders.
  • A code of behaviour, for children and young people, to deal with any disciplinary issues arising during group activities.
  • A specific code of conduct for all away trips including Pilgrimages, Day Trips and incentive events.
  • A clearly communicated accident/emergency plan.
  • A Training programme for all adult leaders in the areas of child protection and health and safety.
  • Adequate record keeping processes.
  • Detailed Participant forms including signed parental consent for each young person.
  • Contact information for Parents/Guardians.
  • Medical Information and treatment permission as appropriate for all young people.
  • Incident/accident report forms.
  • Programme/attendance records.
  • Volunteer application forms.
  • Training records for child protection and health and safety sessions.
  • A designated team assigned to assist with any child protection concerns and/or complaints raised by young people, adult leaders or parents/guardians.
  • These Codes and procedures will be made known to the young people, leaders and parents/guardians by means of information sessions.
Contacts
If you or anyone you know has a child protection concern, or wish to report an allegation of child abuse, please contact:

Designated Person:
Mr. Sean Leydon
Diocesan Office
St. Michael’s
Longford
087 7431649

Deputy Designated Person:
Ms. Roisin O’Doherty
Diocesan Office
St. Michael’s
Longford
087 3327587
or
Towards Healing Helpline:
1800 303416
or
ISPCC Childline:
http://ispcc.ie
1800 666666
or
Tusla
044 9395019 or 044 9395020
or
An Garda Siochana (Longford)
043 3350570
or
HSE Social Work Dept. (Tivoli House, Longford)
043 3350584

Diocesan contact for complaints outside of Safeguarding Children:
Mr. Liam Faughnan: 086 8237443
Diocesan website : http://ardaghdiocese.com

National Office for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland,
New House, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Tel. 01 5053124
http://safeguarding.ie