Child Protection Policy Statement for the Parish of Glenamaddy

The parish of Glenamaddy 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 parish is informed by the three Gospel principles of Truth, Justice and Love.

The parish 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 parish recognises 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 parish recognises 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 parish 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.

Parish 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:

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

• There will be an adequate ratio of leaders to children and young people at all times— a ratio appropriate to the occasion.

• Mixed gender groups will have an appropriate number of male and female leaders.

• 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 an open and transparent manner.

• Physical contact between children/young people and leaders must be appropriate at all times.

• Photographs of children/young people engaged in church related activities may only be taken and/or made public with parental consent.

• For away trips:

  • A pre-check on accommodation and transport arrangements must be under taken.

  • Information session for all young people and their parents must be held.

• Children/Young people will not be permitted to consume alcohol or use illicit drugs while participating in church related activities.

• Adults working with children and young people will be treated with courtesy, re spect and dignity.

• Leaders will not consume alcohol or use illicit drugs while having responsibility for or in the presence of children/young people.

• All children will be called by their proper name and given an equal opportunity.

• Leaders will not have favourites.

Good Practice Procedures

Glenamaddy parish is committed to having 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:

• A code of conduct for children, young people and all adults who work with them.

• Procedures for recruiting, overseeing and supporting adult leaders working with children and young people.

• Appropriate supervision ratios of adults to children and young people.

• Adequate record keeping processes.

• A clearly communicated Accident/Emergency plan e.g. First aid, contact numbers, etc.

• Procedures to respond to internal conflicts and disciplinary issues.

• Procedures for reporting Child Protection concerns and complaints.

• The Archdiocese has appointed a Designated Person to whom all relevant concerns.

• and/or complaints are brought.  He/she will respond promptly and will liaise with the required civil authority and church authority.

• The parish will have its own Child Protection Representative whose responsibility will be:

  • To promote awareness of the Church’s child protection policies.

  • To ensure that the public has ready access to contact details for the Designated Person and the relevant HSE officials.

  • 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.

• The parish is committed to healing and reconciliation. Support persons are available to both victim and accused.

The Parish contact is Mary Worrall (094) 9659569 

February 2013 

Confidentiality Statement

The parish 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.