Safeguarding
Kildrumferton Group of Parishes is passionate about loving and caring for the most vulnerable in our church and community. An expression of this is our commitment to the highest standards in the safeguarding and care of children, young people, victims of domestic abuse and vulnerable adults. Our Select Vestries have adopted the Church of Ireland’s policy (click here to download as a pdf) and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Safeguarding Trust website.
If you have any questions on our policy or how it’s implemented, please contact Rev Mark Smith (revmarkasmith@gmail.com / 089 278 2540).
CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
The Church of Ireland provides religious, educational and recreational activities and services to children under 18 years of age through a range of local services.
The Church of Ireland acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.
The Church of Ireland is committed to safeguarding children by working under the guidance of its national safeguarding policy Safeguarding Trust and its associated procedures. The Church of Ireland recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. The bishops, clergy, volunteers and staff are committed to ensuring that all children have a positive and enjoyable experience in a safe and child centred environment and are protected from abuse whilst participating in activities.
All parishes, dioceses and other bodies operating under Safeguarding Trust have conducted a specific written risk assessment of any potential for harm to a child through their involvement in Church activities. The written risk assessment indicates the areas of potential harm, the likelihood of harm occurring, and lists the required policy, guidance, process and practice required to alleviate the risks.
The Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice. In addition to the diocesan and parish risk assessments, the following procedures are in place throughout the Church of Ireland as part of its safeguarding policies and procedures:
• Procedures for managing allegations of abuse or misconduct by bishops, clergy, volunteers or employees against a child availing of our services.
• Procedures for the safe recruitment of volunteers or employees to work with children in our services.
• Procedures for provision of and access to child safeguarding training, including the identification and reporting of harm.
• Procedures for reporting child protection and welfare concerns to Tusla and An Garda Síochána.
• Procedures for maintaining a list of persons in each diocese who are mandated persons.
• Procedure for appointing a relevant person for this child safeguarding statement.
• All procedures listed are contained in Safeguarding Trust: The Church of Ireland Child Safeguarding Policy.
The Church of Ireland recognises that implementation is an on-going process and is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support its intention to keep children safe from harm and the risk of harm. The Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed no later than April 2022, or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.
The Relevant Person for this Child Safeguarding Statement is:
Rev Mark Smith (revmarkasmith@gmail.com / 089 278 2540)