1.28 National Training Strategy

The NBSCCCI develops a comprehensive training strategy that outlines the plan for the dissemination of training across target groups, at an all-island level, every three years. This training strategy can be accessed via www.safeguarding.ie.

Training in the Diocese of Meath

Everyone in the Church who comes into contact with children has a role to play in their protection. To carry out this role confidently and effectively they need to be aware of child safeguarding issues and to have the necessary knowledge and skills to keep children safe.

The following measures are taken to ensure this:

  • The Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee has a focus on creating, maintaining and monitoring a safe environment for children in all aspects of Church life and activity, including the provision of training. To support this work, a training needs assessment (TNA) is carried out annually by the Diocesan Resource Team who will: develop an annual training programme; identify associated resource implications and present these to the Committee for approval and action.
  • Training includes: induction for newly recruited personnel; basic safeguarding awareness training; information sessions; and role specific training. The Safeguarding Committee decides on the level of training required for each person, depending on their level of involvement with children.

The following criteria will be used:

  • For each Church activity that involves children, at least one leader/coordinator must attend the full day training programme.
  • All clergy who are in active ministry must attend the full day training programme.
  • Any personnel with a key position of responsibility for child safeguarding must attend a full day training programme (e.g.  DLP, Adviser, Support Person, Child Safeguarding Committee   member, Advisory Panel member, Local Safeguarding Representative).
  • All other Church personnel must be given the opportunity to attend an Information

Induction Process

As soon as possible after their appointment, all Church personnel should undertake an induction process.  A core component of this must include child safeguarding.

This induction process should include the following steps:

  • A representative of the Bishop/diocese meets with the newly appointed member of Church personnel and provides them with an appropriate copy of the child safeguarding policy and procedures (for guidance on appropriate and accessible formats, see Standard 6).

During this meeting:

  • The newly appointed member of Church personnel is asked to carefully read the provided document and to come back to the representative of the Bishop with any questions they have;
  • The newly appointed member of Church personnel is made aware that they will be required to attend a basic child safeguarding awareness training event, appropriate to their role, in line with 1.23

The newly appointed member of Church personnel is made aware of how to access support regarding their role (1.26 – Support and supervision).

Following the meeting:

  • Having read the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and having any questions about it answered by the appropriate representative of the Bishop, the newly appointed member of Church personnel is then asked to sign and date an agreement form (S4.6) to say that they have read and understood the child safeguarding policies and procedures, and that they will abide by these in their role within the Church;
  • This form is returned to the appropriate Church representative, who stores it safely and securely in accordance with the data protection policy of the Diocese of Meath.