Child Safeguarding Plan for the period 2018-21 for the Diocese of Meath.
(Revised January 2019)
This action plan has been developed in compliance with Standard 7 of the Safeguarding Children: Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland (2016). It follows from and builds on the Action Plan 2013-15.
All actions will be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Safeguarding Children Policy and the procedures detailed in the Operational Guidelines, commencing January 2017, unless stated otherwise. The plan will be reviewed and updated annually or as new regulatory or legislative provisions become available.
The Training Plan 2019 and Communications plan 2019 are attached as Appendices.
| Standard | Objectives | Actions | Responsibility | Implementation Date | Review Date |
| Creating a Culture of Safety | |||||
| Standard 1:
Creating and maintaining safe environments |
Implement safe recruitment procedures
Ensure code of behaviour is adopted by all adults and children involved in Church related activities.
Implement effective practice in safe care for all children, including those with specific needs.
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The following procedures, detailed in the Operational Guidelines, will be used as appropriate to the situation:
· Application form · Declaration form · Interviews · References · Vetting (S1.1 and S1.2; S4.1 -.6 S4.11)
· Adults involved in Church related activities agree to observe and sign the COB at induction
· Parents and children sign consent form which includes code of behaviour. · Anti-bullying policy agreed between leaders and children (S1.4-.7; S4.7-.10)
The following procedures, detailed in the Operational Guidelines, will be used: -Advised supervision ratios -Dealing with accidents/incidents -Risk assessment of activities -One to one contact with children -Participation of children with specific needs -Procedures for visiting clergy -Use of ICT -External groups using Church property -Complaints procedures -Protected disclosures (S1.8-1.22+S4.2-S4.23)
|
Overall responsibility rests with the SCC. Specific areas of responsibility noted below.
PSR/PP Liaison person (L Duncan)
PSR
Activity leaders
PSR and activity leaders |
From 01/01/2017
When position assumed.
Start date of of activity and each Sept.
01/01/17 fw |
Parish annual audit in Nov./Dec. each year.
SCC annual report Dec. each year.
Annual parish audit.
Annual parish audit
Annual parish audit |
| Standard 5: Training and Support for keeping children safe
|
Ensure that all Church personnel receive appropriate training in safeguarding. | Develop annual training plan based on a training needs analysis (TNA).
Incorporate specific training needs identified by parishes, including information on formal and informal supports available to personnel.
Deliver and evaluate training.
Ratify training plan (S1.23-S1.26+S4.24-4.27)
2019 Training plan delivered
|
Trainers – A Shaw and D Gavin
SCC
See Appendix A
|
Implementation on dates specified in annual plan
Spring meeting annually.
On dates specified in plan. |
Each training event evaluated as delivered and reported on in annual report.
TNA based on parish audit
Report on training as part of annual report Dec. each year
|
| Standard 6: Communicating the Church’s Safeguarding Message
|
Ensure that the Church’s safeguarding message is communicated to identified audiences
Produce and circulate printed material for specified audiences
Establish links with relevant organisations to promote safe environments and share best practice
Consultation and feedback meetings
*See Appendix B
|
Review the communications policy annually
Revised safeguarding website regularly updated (www.meathsafeguarding.ie)
Promote awareness of the website
Copies of the Policy Statement and the Child Safeguarding Statement will be displayed in churches and buildings where Church related activities take place
Produce and circulate three Safeguarding Newsletters annually
Children who act as altar servers or are involved in choirs will be provided with safeguarding information leaflets
Posters in Irish and in Polish have ben produces and will be made available on request.
Research will be carried out on whether posters/information in other languages/formats are needed.
At diocesan level: annual meeting with CF Information Persons. At parish level: Contact established with local Social Workers and Garda Siochana.
Six parish meetings to be held each year (working in alphabetical order… 2018: Collinstown; Coole; Delvin; Drogheda HF; Drumraney; Duleek 2019: Dunderry; Dysart; Eglish; Enfield; Johnstown; Kells 2020 2021 *Need verification and agreement |
Safeguarding committee
Director of safeguarding
Trainers +PSR
PSR/PP
Resource Team
PSR/Activity leaders
Safeguarding Comm/Trainers
Resource Team
Resource Team
PSR
Safeguarding Committee members |
Monthly
Training events/Newsletters
01/01/19 fw
Spring/ Autumn/ Winter
Sept. each year.
Spring 2017 fw, on request.
Review 2019
Feb. 2019
Arranged in consultation with parishes
|
Summer meeting each year
Annual parish audit
As part of policy review, SCC summer meeting. As part of annual parish audit.
As part of policy review each summer. Winter meeting SCC Annual report
Annual review
Report to SCC+ Annual report
Outcomes reviewed at each SCC meeting + reported on in annual report. |
| Standard | Objectives | Actions | Responsibility | Implementation Date | Review Date | ||||
| Recognising, Responding, Reporting | |||||||||
| Standard 2:
Procedures for responding to CP suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations
Standard 3: Care and support for the complainant.
Standard 4: Care and management of the respondent.
|
Personnel are made aware of how to recognise and respond to child abuse.
Reporting procedures are in place
Case management procedures are in place
A data protection policy is in place.
There is regular liaison with statutory authorities.
A complaints procedure is in place
Protected disclosure procedure in place
A disciplinary procedure is in place.
A pastoral response is available to complainants.
A Support Person is appointed.
Cooperation is sought with relevant agencies when needed.
A system for supporting respondents is provided.
A process is in place for investigating and managing child safeguarding concerns.
|
Training is provided and the Operational Guidelines contain definitions.
(S2.1)
CP referral form (S2.2; S4.34)
Use NBSCCCI forms and procedures as required (S2.3-2.14: S2.25-2.34: S4.35-S4.43)
New DP policy in preparation to comply with GDPR
Annual meetings held (S2.14)
Responding to a dissatisfied complainant-3 stage process. (S2.15; S4.13)
Personnel made aware of procedures. (S2.16)
Panel established from which a disciplinary committee may be formed. (S2.17) Supporting procedures and documentation available from the Diocesan Office.
Procedures in place to ensure a pastoral response is provided. (S2.19)
Procedures and training are provided (S2.20+21)
When necessary, specialist advice is sought from NBSCCCI and statutory agencies. (S2,22)
An Advisor is appointed to represent the pastoral needs of a respondent. (S2.23;2.24)
Undertaking risk assessment. (S4.24; 25; 26; S4.39;40;)
Conducting a preliminary investigation following conclusion of any statutory investigation. (S2.29)
Supporting and managing a respondent when it is found that there is a case to answer. (S28-34; S4.41-43
|
All personnel
DLP
DLP
All personnel (Appendix 3 of Operational Guidelines)
Between statutory authorities, Bishop and DLP and between CF Information Persons and Resource Team.
DLP/Bishop/NBSC
Information on website and in Newsletter.
Resource Team/ Disciplinary panel
The Bishop, DLP and Support Person
DLP/NBSCCCI Mr R Lowry -Support Person
DLP/NBSCCCI
Advisor appt. by Bishop as needed
Bishop/DLP
Bishop/DLP/CDF
|
01/01/17 fw (using new guidelines)
01/01/17 fw
01/01/17 fw
TBD – training may be needed
In consultation with statutory agencies.
Meeting held Feb2019
01/01/17+fw
In place since 2014 – NBSC version since 2017
Convened as necessary
As necessary
Feb 2017 fw as needed
01/01/17+fw
Appointed as necessary
01/01/17 fw
01/01/17
|
Annual audit
DLP annual report
DLP annual report
TBD when procedures developed
Report to SCC
Annual report
DLP annual report
Annual report
Annual report
As part of annual DLP report
SCC Summer meeting
DLP annual report
DLP annual report
DLP annual report
DLP annual report
|
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| Standard | Objectives | Actions | Responsibility | Implementation Date | Review Date |
| Quality Assurance | |||||
| Standard 7: Quality assuring compliance with the Standards | Appropriate structures are in place
Ensure arrangements are in place to evaluate compliance with the Standards
Safeguarding plan produced on a three-year basis
Independent review by the NBSCCCI
|
Roles of committees and individual personnel are as outlined in Operational Guidelines – Appendix 1
Safeguarding Children Committee
Resource Team/Trainers
DLP
Support Person
Advisor
Disciplinary Panel
Parish Safeguarding Representatives (PSR)
Vetting Liaison Person
Annual Parish audit; SCC report; DLP report (S3.3 +4; S4.44; 4.45;4.46)
Follow up with parishes which do not respond
NBSCCCI notified
Consultation with relevant stakeholders; informed by legislative and regulatory changes.
Reviewed and updated annually following scrutiny of the parish audit returns.
NBSCCCI invited to conduct review of safeguarding practice at a frequency agreed with the Board.
|
Members appointed by Bishop
Director of Safeguarding (Fr J Campbell) and two Trainers (AS and DG)
Ms Marie O`Sullivan
Mr R Lowry
Appt. by Bishop as needed
Panel of eight. is in place
Each parish has at least two PSR in post
Ms L Duncan
SCC/PSR/PP/DLP
Trainers
Bishop
SCC/Resource Team
SCC
Bishop |
A nine person SCC is in place. Including Bishop and two Trainers.
Four meetings are held annually
In place since 2010 (varying members) Meetings held monthly.
Appt.2018
Appt. 2017
As needed
Appt. 2013
Current and continuing
Appt. 2016
Nov./Dec each year
Dec/Jan
Jan.
Nov/Dec annually+ deanery meetings
Jan/Feb annually
TBD
|
Winter meeting each year (Members serve a four-year term: 2 will complete term in 2017; all others are in place since 2015) .
Annual report
DLP annual report
Annual report
DLP annual report
As part of annual parish audit.
Annual report
Annual report
SCC Winter meeting each year. and NBSCCC! notified. SCCSpring meeting
Reviewed at Autumn SCC meeting annually
Following review process.
TBD
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Resources for implementing the child safeguarding plan
The resources required are primarily the personnel involved in creating a culture of safety at all levels and in all Church activities involving children; and, should it prove necessary, in responding to allegations or suspicions of abuse, reporting these to the relevant statutory agencies; and providing support to complainants and respondents. Providing the infrastructural supports to ensure that these processes are undertaken appropriately includes providing the training, information, communication strategies and ensuring quality assurance of all procedures and processes.
The Diocese of Meath strives to accomplish this through:
- Having appropriate structures in place (as detailed above).
- Contracting two trainers to provide necessary training and supports.
- Developing and maintaining communication systems, specifically: safeguarding website; publishing regular newsletters; developing and disseminating information leaflets and posters.
- Establishing and maintaining contacts with relevant statutory agency personnel.
Most of those involved operate in a voluntary capacity, while the trainers, support person, and liaison person are funded by the Diocese on a contractual basis. Funding is also made available for the production of print and web-based materials and for training provided by external agents, generally the NBSCCCI.
Signed __________________________________
Review date______________________________
Appendix B: Communications Plan 2019
| Target audience | Safeguarding messages | Method | Responsibility | When | Review |
| Children and their parents and carers involved in Church based activities.
Church personnel (volunteers, staff and clergy)
Parishioners
NBSCCCI/ Tusla/ An GS/ other relevant agencies
|
How to keep safe
What to do if you, or someone you know, is being harmed.
Sources of advice and support.
Good practice and how to deliver it. Safe recruitment. Dealing with allegations. Accessing help and advice. Contact details for relevant persons/agencies.
Accessing training.
What do we mean by safeguarding. Contact details of those with safeguarding responsibilities.
Information on safeguarding policy and procedures.
|
ü Information leaflets for children
ü Information leaflet for parents (summary of Policy and Standards) ü Policy and Operational Guidelines available on safeguarding website. ü Poster with policy statement and contact details for DLP and statutory agencies displayed in churches and buildings where Church related activities take place. ü Safeguarding Safety Statement displayed and copies available.
Safeguarding website www.meathsafeguarding.ie Safeguarding Newsletter Information on safeguarding policy and procedures provided via print and website editions of the Policy and Operational Guidelines. Posters with policy statement and contact details for DLP and statutory agencies + Child Safeguarding Statement on the safeguarding website (www.meathsafeguarding.ie) displayed in churches and buildings where Church related activities take place (Posters available in Irish and Polish as well as English)
Support and training sessions.
Information on safeguarding policy and procedures provided via print and website editions of the Policy and Operational Guidelines.
Poster with policy statement and contact details for DLP and statutory agencies displayed in churches and buildings where Church related activities take place. Safeguarding Safety Statement displayed.
Safeguarding website www.meathsafeguarding.ie Occasional items on safeguarding included in parish bulletin.
Safeguarding Sunday.
Consultation and feedback meetings.
Policy and Operational Guidelines on safeguarding website.
Annual Reports; Safeguarding Plan on website
Newsletters
Annual meetings with statutory agencies |
Leaflets are distributed and discussed with children by activity leader.
Trainers/PSR ensures supplies are available
PSR
Maintained by Resource Team. SCC responsible for policy
SCC responsible for policy Resource Team responsible for ensuring supplies of printed material and website.
Resource Team. Newsletters circulated electronically and in hard copy Trainers SCC responsible for policy
Resource Team responsible for ensuring supplies of printed material and website. PP/PSR
SCC/PP/PSR
PP/PSR
Members of SCC
SCC/Resource Team
|
Annually in Sept.
On request; at information and sessions
Continuing
Spring/Autumn/Winter
Spring and Autumn
Continuing
TBD locally Mid-Oct. c. Six meetings scheduled p.a.
Dec. each year Spring/Autumn/Winter Feb 2019 and by arrangement with agencies. |
Annual parish audit
Updated monthly
At SCC Summer meeting
As part of annual parish audit
Outcomes reviewed at each SCC meeting.
SCC Winter meeting |