My dear People
In the Diocese of Cloyne we welcome the participation of children and young
people in all matters relating to Church. Therefore, I am happy to present this
Policy Document to all who work with children and young people in the parishes
of the Diocese. It has been compiled by the members of the Diocesan Child Protection
Committee, to whom I wish to express my deep appreciation and sincere thanks.
The guidelines and procedures laid down in the Policy Document represent best
practice and are to be carefully observed. The focus of its contents is to safeguard,
respect and value the dignity of every child and young person and of every adult
entrusted with the care of children and young people in Church-related activities.
I implore God's blessing on all who endeavour to bring to the children of our
Diocese that standard of loving and watchful care which is in accordance with
the mind of Jesus Christ.
+ John Magee Bishop of Cloyne
Table of Contents
I Diocesan Child Protection Policy Statement
2 General Principles Guiding Best Practice for Ministry with Children and Young
People
3 Diocesan Code of Good Practice - Basic Procedures List
4 Diocesan Code of Conduct - Basics for Working with Children and Young People
5 Diocesan Code of Conduct - Basics for Children and Young People
6 Appendix 1: Confidentiality Statement
7. Appendix 2: Contact information
8 Appendix 3:Volunteers/Church Personnel Recruitment Procedures
9 Appendix 4: What is Child Abuse?
10 Appendix 5: Recommended Supervision Ratios
DIOCESE OF CLOYNE
Child Protection Policy Statement
The Diocese of Cloyne recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children
and young people and is committed to ensuring their safety and well being. The
Diocese values and encourages the participation of children and young people
in all parish liturgies and in all activities that enhance their spiritual,
physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.
Above all, the Diocese recognises the need to protect children and young people
and aims to do this in a way that promotes their human dignity, integrity and
worth as children of God.
The Diocese recognises that, while child protection is primarily the responsibility
of Parents, it is indeed everyone's responsibility. In particular, all involved
in working with children and young people have a special duty of care towards
them. The Diocese has committed itself to putting procedures in place through
which this care is put into effect.
General Principles Guiding Best Practice for Ministry with Children/Young
People
The Diocese of Cloyne:
" Values and encourages the active participation of children/young people
in the life of the Church in ways that enhance their physical, emotional, spiritual,
intellectual and social 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/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/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/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/young people;
o responding to suspicions or allegations of child abuse, which includes cooperating
with the relevant Civil Authorities;
o providing pastoral support and training for all Church Personnel.
" Has a set of policies and procedures in place for those who have responsibility
for the protection of children/young people in the life of the Church.
" Is willing to listen to children/young people and to involve them, where
appropriate, in decision-making.
" Promotes an ethos and an approach, which at all times gives paramount
consideration to the welfare of the child/young person.
" o In the event of a concern about the welfare of a child/young person:
o will respond to the needs of the child/young person;
o inform the primary carers, unless the action puts the child/young person at
further risk;
o is obliged to pass on child protection concerns to the designated person and/or
duty social worker.
" In the event of a complaint against a member of staff, will immediately
ensure the safety of the child/young person and inform the parents/guardians/
primary carers, as appropriate.
DIOCESAN CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE - BASIC PROCEDURES LIST
In order to support the Diocesan Policy, it is necessary that the following procedures are implemented:
" A clearly defined process for the recruitment and supervision of adults working with children/young people, which will include:
o Volunteer/employment application forms, to include Garda Clearance [when available];
o Declaration Forms for all adult leaders; Induction and Training records; Attendance Records;
o Applicants will provide proof of Identification, i.e., photo ID.
" A duty roster of adults to ensure adequate supervision of children/young
people at all times.
" Appropriate supervision ratios of adults to children/young people, while
maintaining the practice that no child or young person is left alone with an
adult.
In our duty of care and protection for children and young people, best practice
will include the following procedures and record keeping:
" Record of activities and participants;
" A clearly communicated Accident and Emergency Plan;
" Medical information and treatment permission, as appropriate, of all
children/young person;
" Signed parental/guardian consent for each child/young person; Participant
forms;
" Incident/Accident report forms;
" Attendance records;
" Contact information for parents/guardians;
" Named group leader/designated person, who can be contacted in relation
to any query about good practice procedures;
" A code of conduct for all adults, children and young people;
" For away - trips and pilgrimages, the above procedures must be followed
and, in addition, a pre-check on accommodation and transport arrangement must
be made;
" There will be a procedure in place to review the Diocesan Child Protection
Policy on an annual basis.
DIOCESAN CODE OF CONDUCT - BASICS FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN/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.
:> Leaders will treat each other, children/young people with courtesy, respect
and dignity. :
> Leaders will always engage with children/young people in an open manner,
taking
care not to show favouritism.
:> There will be an adequate ratio of leaders to children/young people at
all times.
:> A Leader will not work alone with children or young people.
:> Care will be taken to ensure that leaders of mixed gender will work with
mixed gender groups.
:> There will be a clearly designated leader within each group with whom
children/young people and other leaders can raise concerns.
:> Leaders will not consume alcohol while having responsibility for, or in
the presence of,
children/young people.
:> Leaders will not smoke in the presence of children/young people.
:> The use of drugs or illegal substances by leaders is strictly prohibited.
:> Leaders will not use inappropriate language or make sexually suggestive
comments, either to each other or to children/young people.
:> Physical contact between leaders and children and young people will be
of an appropriate nature at all times. Leaders will not engage in rough play
with each other or with children/young people.
):> Leaders will not undertake any task of a personal nature with/for children/young
people, except in cases of medical necessity or when the welfare of the child/young
person depends on it.
):> Personal details of children/young people will be held only by named
leader/designated person.
):> Leaders will not give their personal details to children/young people,
unless absolutely necessary.
:> Children/young people will be contacted via their parents/guardians/carers,
except in emergencies.
:> The Diocese has a Designated Person, to whose immediate attention all
concerns and/or complaints can be brought.
:> The Diocesan Designated Persons will respond promptly to all child protection
concerns and liaise with the required Civil and Church Authorities in accordance
with established guidelines.
:> All concerns and/or complaints will be followed through in a timely and
efficient manner in accordance with guidelines.
:> The Diocese has a specific code of conduct for all away - trips, including
pilgrimages, day trips and incentive events.
):> The Diocesan Code of Conduct, including an anti-bullying policy, specific
to children/young people, will apply.
DIOCESAN CODE OF CONDUCT - BASICS FOR CHILDREN I YOUNG PEOPLE
A code of conduct, specific to children and young people, should be drawn up
in direct consultation with children/young people. It is important that each
group of children/young people directly contributes to the formation of their
code of conduct.
>- Children/young people will be aware that leaders also have a code of conduct;
>- Children/young people will respect the fact that leaders will not work
alone with children /young people;
>- Children/young people will treat each other and their leaders with courtesy,
respect and dignity;
>- Children/young people will not be permitted to engage in substance abuse,
to consume alcohol or to smoke, in keeping with Civil Law;
>- Inappropriate language or sexually suggestive comments will not be permitted
by children/young people;
>- Physical contact between children/young people will be of an appropriate
nature at all times;
>- Rough play will not be permitted at any time.
Children and young people are to be consulted about drawing up an all-inclusive
anti-bullying policy.
The following are some examples of bullying. However, this list is not exhaustive
and the children /young people will have many other points to list.
Name Calling
Fighting/kicking/punching
Making suggestive comments
Intimidation
Threatening
Ignoring/excluding
Damaging Property
Spreading rumours
Sending abusive text messages
Internet Bullying
Appendix I
Confidentiality Statement
The Diocese of Cloyne recognises the importance of ensuring people's rights to confidentiality and is committed to keeping confidential all personal information about children/young people and their families. The only exception may be when child protection or welfare concerns arise in relation to a child/young person. In this situation, information will be shared "on a need to know" basis, in the best interest of the child/young person as follows:
" Information will be forwarded only "on a need to know" basis
in order to safeguard the child/young person;
" Giving information to an appropriately designated person and/or statutory
authority for the protection of a child/young person is 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/young person at further risk.
Appendix 2
CONTACT INFORMATION FORM
The following information should be displayed in a prominent place in each Church in the Diocese
Diocesan Policy Statement
The Diocese of Cloyne recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children/young
people and is committed to ensuring their safety and well being. The Diocese
values and encourages the participation of children and young people in all
parish liturgies and in all activities that enhance their spiritual, physical,
emotional, intellectual and social development. Above all, the Diocese recognises
the need to protect children and young people and aims to do this in a way that
promotes their human dignity, integrity and worth as children of God.
The Diocese recognises that, while child protection is primarily the responsibility
of Parents, it is indeed everyone's responsibility. In particular, all involved
in working with children/young people have a special duty of care towards them.
The Diocese has committed itself to putting procedures in place through which
this care is put into effect.
In keeping with this, we will work to do all in our power to create safe environment for children and young people in order to secure their protection and enable their full participation in the life of the Church.
Contact Details
If you, or anyone you know, requires support or pastoral care in relation to
a child protection issue, please contact either of the following Pastoral Care
Persons:
Name: Dean Eamonn Goold Phone Number: 087 - 1350529
Ms. Catherine Kelly Phone Number: 061 - 408102
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.
Contact Details
Appendix 3
Volunteers/Church Personnel Recruitment Procedures:
1 Applicants will be required to complete the following forms
" Application Form;
" Declaration Form;
" Garda Vetting Form.
2 Proof of identification
3 Names of two referees (not family members) who can provide references in writing.
4. An interview will take place - at which at least two interviewers must be
present.
5 All relevant forms will be available through the parish.
Appendix 4
What is Child abuse ?
The Diocese recognises child abuse, as defined in "Children First"
and in "Our Children: Our Church", as:
"..... neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse".
Types of Abuse:
NEGLECT - an omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment
of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual
stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults,
medical care.
SEXUAL ABUSE - when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification
or sexual arousal or for that of others.
PHYSICAL ABUSE - is any form of non-accidental injury which results from the
wilful or neglectful failure to protect a child.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE - occurs when the child's needs for affection, approval, consistency
are not met.
Appendix 5
Recommended Supervision Ratios.
In the Republic of Ireland, the Childcare (Pre-School Services) Regulations,
1996 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997 have
the following requirements for adult: child ratios:*
Service Age Adult: Child Ratio
Full Day Care 0- I years 1:3
I - 3 years 1:6
3 - 6 years 1:8
Sessional 0- 6 years I: 10
Drop - in Centre I - 6 years 1:8
under 12 months I: 3
The Code of Practice - Child protection for the Youth Work Sector recommends the following:
The minimum adult/young person ratio should ideally be one adult per group
of eight plus one other adult, 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 children/young people and the nature of the activities
being undertaken may require that these ratios be considerably lower.
*Dublin Stationery Office 1998, pp.32-3
Our Children, Our Church, Appendix 4, p.84