Welcome to Safeguarding Children
The policy and procedures on this website are based on these documents and, in particular, on Safeguarding Children: Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland, (NBSC 2008), which outlines the standards to be applied in developing policies and procedures for safeguarding children engaged in Church activities. It also mirrors civil legislation and policy as outlined in the guideline documents Children First (DOHC 2011) and Our Duty to Care (DOHC 2002). Its aim is clear and simple - to help all involved in working with children in the Diocese meet their obligations to safeguard children in all Church-related activities.
The National Board for Safeguarding Children, Maynooth requires every diocese of submit a report each year on their safeguarding activities. The report is divided into four parts - audit of parishes; audit of diocesan policy and procedures; training report for the past year; training plan for 2012. This report was approved by the Safeguarding Committee on 1 December 2011. Click here for the Annual Safeguarding Children Report from the Diocese of Meath.
I am very pleased that the Diocese of Meath works closely with the statutory bodies and the NBSC in putting these necessary protocols in place and we will continue to do so over the coming years. In this way we will create, in so far as it is humanly possible, a safe and protective environment for the young parishioners in our community.
Most Reverend Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath