|
Child Protection Policy - Divine Word Parish
POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE DIVINE WORD PARISH,
MARLEY GRANGE
JANUARY 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Divine Word Parish Child
Protection Policy Statement3
Policy Implementation and Review4
Parish Child Protection Representative5
Code of Conduct for Children6
Code of Conduct for Adult Leaders7
Selection Process for Volunteers9
Practical Procedures10
Confidentiality11
Handling a Disclosure12
Suspected Abuse14
Bullying15
Appendices
I :Glossary of Terms16
II : Volunteer Application Form19
III: Legal Framework22
DIVINE WORD PARISH CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT
We, in the Parish of the Divine Word, Marley Grange, in the Dublin Diocese, 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.
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 the Church.
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW
This policy is implemented by the Parish Pastoral Council arising from the publication in 2005 of Our Children, Our Church - Child Protection Policies and Procedures for the Catholic Church in Ireland (OCOC).
The purpose of OCOC is to provide a set of policies and procedures for those who have responsibility for the protection of children and young people in the life of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It sets out a one-Church approach to child protection to ensure that the same principles and procedures for safeguarding children and for responding to allegations or suspicions of child abuse operate at every level and in every place throughout the Church here.
The policies and procedures outlined in OCOC are guided by principles derived from Gospel values and civil sources, including the principle that the welfare of the child is the first and paramount consideration.
OCOC may be purchased in bookshops and the full text may be viewed at: http://www.cps.dublindiocese.ie/
This policy will be reviewed at least annually in September by the Parish Pastoral Council.
PARISH CHILD PROTECTION REPRESENTATIVE
The Parish Child Protection Representatives are:
FRANK O'DONNELL.....Contact No : 087 0505712
and
Phil O'Neill Contact No: 086 2756231
The Diocesan Director of Child Protection, who is responsible for the overall management and development of the Child Protection Service in the Diocese, is MR. PHIL GARLAND who may be contacted at (01) 8842590 (direct line).
The telephone number of the CHILD PROTECTION OFFICE is (01) 8360314
The Director will receive, either directly from complainants, or through the Parish Child Protection Representative, all allegations of abuse and will ensure that they are dealt with appropriately.
The relevant civil authorities are :
An Garda Siochana, Rathfarnham Station: (01) 6666500
Health Service Executive : (01) 4544733 to contact the Child Protection Duty Social Worker/Child Care Manager,
Maltings Business Park,
54/55 Marrowbone Lane,
Dublin 8
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CHILDREN
1.Treat each other in a respectful manner.
2.Give good example at all times.
3.Always behave in an acceptable manner.
4.Treat your leaders with dignity and respect.
5.Know the Code of Behaviour that has beendeveloped for your group.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ADULT LEADERS
1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being.
2. Set the standard of behaviour for the group by providing an example of appropriate behaviour in dealing with people.
3. Ensure that consent has been received by a parent/guardian before a child takes part in any activity.
4. Take care to ensure that adequate and appropriate supervision is in place for any youth activity. [Refer to the section on Practical Procedures - Page 10.]
5. Particular care should be taken to ensure that the privacy of children is respected at all times.
6. Refrain from showing favouritism towards any individual and maintain appropriate boundaries when dealing with children entrusted to your care.
7. Casual visits by children to the homes of volunteers and parish staff should be avoided and vice-versa unless a parent / guardian is present.
8. If a situation arises where it is necessary to be alone with a child, another responsible adult should be informed immediately, by telephone if necessary. A diary note that the meeting with the young person took place, including the reasons for it, should be made.
9. Children and young people should not be permitted to work, or remain in churches, parish property or schools unless there are at least two adults present.
10.In no circumstances should Church personnel give alcohol, tobacco or drugs to children or young people. Such substances must not be used by personnel while supervising or working with children and young people.
11. Avoid inappropriate physical or verbal contact with children. Never make suggestive remarks or gestures.
12. Do not rely on your good name or that of the Church to protect you.
13. Do not believe that "it could never happen to me".
14.Avoid giving lifts to unaccompanied children in your car.
SELECTION PROCESS FOR VOLUNTEERS
Most people who want to work with children have a lot of good to offer. However, precautions should still be taken to ensure that anyone recruited to work with children is suitable for the position. The selection process adopted by the Divine Word Parish is as follows:
- completion of a volunteer application form that includes personal details, contact information for two character references, a personal declaration of suitability and information regarding time availability. [See Appendix II]
- consideration of the application by the relevant parish group and
- decision by the group.
The group will notify the Parish Pastoral Council of the names of all persons accepted as volunteers and of when the tenure of such volunteers ends.
PRACTICAL PROCEDURES
·All leaders must undertake appropriate training as offered. Training must include Child Protection.
·The minimum adult/child ratio in any group should be two adults per group of up to eight participants. Allow an additional adult for each group of up to eight thereafter.
·Where feasible there should be adequate and gender based supervision of boys and girls.
·Parents who are present are responsible for the safety of their own children. Unaccompanied children are the responsibility of the group leaders.
·Overnight trips require careful advance planning and a proportionate number of volunteers to provide supervision.
·Leaders should never be alone in dormitories or bedrooms in which children are sleeping. If by extraordinary circumstance a volunteer considers it necessary to be in a dormitory without accompaniment, a written record of the situation should be maintained.
·It is expected that everyone play his/her part in ensuring general welfare. All should be aware of their responsibilities to prevent accidents during parish gatherings and activities.
·All should have access to the Parish Safety Statement and read the relevant sections.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is about managing sensitive information that arises in a trusting relationship, and doing so in a manner that is respectful and purposeful. Working with children and young people is based upon trusting relationships and it is not uncommon for them to want to share personal information.
In matters of child abuse, a worker should never promise to keep secret any information that is divulged.
The worker should also, as supportively as possible, explain the procedures for handling such a disclosure [see next section on Handling a Disclosure]. All information regarding concern about, or suspicion of, child abuse should be shared only with the Child Protection Representative within the parish, with the Health Service Executive , with An Garda Siochana, and with the Diocesan Director of Child Protection, Mr Phil Garland (see page 5).
HANDLING A DISCLOSURE
If an allegation of, or concern about, child abuse is brought to your attention, the following procedure should be used:
·Stay calm. Do not panic. Listen and hear.
·Let the person know that you cannot promise to keep what has been said secret, but that you will only tell those people who need to know.
·Give the person the opportunity to say what actually occurred in his/her own words.
·Do not put words into her/his mouth.
·Ensure that the person knows that there is help available and that you will support him/her as much as possible.
·As soon as possible after the disclosure has been made, make a written report, detailing all that transpired.
·Refrain from giving your own personal views; instead use the person's own language, making sure the details given are correct. Sign and date the document.
·Contact the Parish Child Protection Representative immediately (see page 5).If the Child Protection Representative is unavailable, contact the Duty Social Worker in the Health Service Executive (01-4544733) or An Garda Siochana (01-6666500) or the Diocesan Director of Child Protection, Mr Phil Garland (01-8842590) and follow their instructions. Inform the Parish Child Protection Representative as soon as possible thereafter.
SUSPECTED ABUSE
If any person has any misgivings about the safety of a child and would find it helpful to discuss their concerns with a professional, they should not hesitate to first contact the Duty Social Worker in the Health Service Executive (Telephone Number :(01) 4544733) orthe Diocesan Director of Child Protection, Mr Phil Garland (Telephone No :(01) 8842590) to discuss the matter.This should help them to decide whether or not to formally report their concerns to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Contacting the HSE will not automatically trigger a Child Protection investigation - the HSE will determine whether or not the matter requires further exploration.
BULLYING
The procedure for dealing with bullying is as follows:
- Speak separately with both parties concerned to find out the facts.
- Bring both parties together to see if a solution can be found. This could be done by: asking them what they would like to see happen in the future.
- The situation should be monitored by the leaders.
- Consideration should be given to consultation with parents/guardians.
Appendix I
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
A number of terms are used quite frequently in this policy. The following are some definitions of those terms:
ABUSE
The main types of abuse that children may be subjected to are as follows:
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic psychological and / or physical needs.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when a child's needs for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met.
Physical Abuse
Where a child is assaulted or injured in some way that is deliberate.
Sexual Abuse
When a child is used by another person for his/her gratification or sexual arousal; or for that of others.
However, the following other forms of abuse may arise:
Organised Abuse
This occurs when one person moves into an area / institution and systematically entraps children for abusive purposes [mainly sexual] or when two or more adults conspire to similarly abuse children using inducements.
Peer Abuse
In some cases of abuse the alleged perpetrator will also be a child. In these situations the Child Protection Procedures should be adhered to for both the victim and the alleged abuser. If there is any conflict of interest between the welfare of the alleged abuser and the victim, the victim's welfare is of paramount importance.
Bullying
Bullying behaviour can be defined as repeated, verbal, psychological or physical aggression that is conducted by an individual or group against others.
CHILD:
A person under the age of 18, excluding a person who is or has been married.
Where appropriate, the provisions of this Document should also be applied toa Vulnerable Adult who, for this purpose, is defined as a person who is either being mistreated or is in danger of mistreatment and who, due to age and/or disability or because of other factors, has limited decision making ability and is unable to protect himself/herself.
WORKER:
Clergy, parish staff, children's and youth group leaders, organists, choir/music group leaders, including all volunteers and temporary workers - in fact all who, at times, share in the parish's ministry with children.
PARISH:
Divine Word Parish, Marley Grange, Dublin 16.
STATUTORY AUTHORITIES:
The Health Service Executive [Dublin Mid Leinster Health Board], which is the statutory body responsible for the safety and welfare of children, and An Garda Siochana who are empowered under legislation to investigate these matters.
CHILD PROTECTION REPRESENTATIVE:
The role of the Child Protection Representative for the parish is to provide support to those engaged in working with children.
In particular, the responsibilities of the Child Protection Representative are:
- to promote awareness of the Church's child protection policies
- to ensure that the public has ready access to contact details for the Director of Child Protection for the Diocese and
- to facilitate anyone in the parish in bringing an allegation or suspicion of child abuse to the attention of the Director of Child Protection.
Appendix II
Divine Word Parish
Marley Grange, Dublin 16
Volunteer Application Form
All information is confidential
Name [Mr./Mrs./Ms.]: _______________________________________________________
Any other name/previously known as: ____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
Tel. No. [Daytime]: _____________________[Evening]:_________________
Date of birth, if under 18: __________________Place of birth: _________________
Occupation: ____________________________________
Please outline why you want to become a volunteer:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Please give details of your involvement with children and young people, and of any relevant training:
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Do you suffer from any illness/disability/medical condition/s which might affect your ability to work with children and young people? If so, please give details:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Please indicate the times when you will be available:
|
|
Mon
|
Tues
|
Wed
|
Thurs
|
Fri
|
Sat
|
Sun
|
|
Morning
|
|
|
A/noon
|
|
|
Evening
|
|
Please supply the names, addresses telephone numbers and positions of two people [non-relatives] who know you well and can provide us with a Reference:
Name: _______________________________Name: _______________________________
Address:______________________________Address:______________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Tel. No. ______________________________Tel. No. ______________________________
Position:______________________________Position:______________________________
DECLARATION FORM
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence or been the subject of a caution or of a bound over order?Yes / No
If yes, please state the nature and date[s] of the offence[s]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
I confirm that nothing within my personal or professional background deems me unsuitable for working with children.
I declare that the above information is true and agree that I will abide by and accept the terms and conditions of participation. (See Selection Procedure)
Signed:___________________________________
Date:____________________
FOR PARISH USE ONLY
Checked by: Phone / Visit/ Letter
Checked by [name]: ________________________Date:___________________
Appendix III
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
A Child Protection Policy must give due consideration to both the rights of the child or young person and to the rights of adults, while also seeking to support both groups in their work together.
The following legislation applies to the area of Child Protection:
Child Care Act (1991)
This Act defines a child as a person under the age of eighteen, excluding someone who has been or is married.
Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act (1998)
This Act came into operation in January 1999. It states that those who report child abuse to the Health Boards or An Garda Siochana "reasonably and in good faith" are immune from civil liability. Significant protections are offered to employees who report child abuse. It is a criminal offence to deliberately make false allegations in relation to child abuse.
A further legal item of relevance here is:
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
This Convention is a set of minimum standards in protecting children's rights. It is a binding international treaty, which the Irish Government has signed and which became operable in Ireland in 1992. The Convention specifies the rights that children have and, as a signatory to the Convention, Ireland is obliged to implement its contents.
|
