“Our generation will show that it can rise to the promise found in each young person when we know how to give them space. This means that we have to create the material and spiritual conditions for their full development; to give them a solid basis on which to build their lives; to guarantee their safety and their education to be everything they can be; to pass on to them lasting values that make life worth living; to give them a transcendent horizon for their thirst for authentic happiness and their creativity for the good; to give them the legacy of a world worthy of human life; and to awaken in them their greatest potential as builders of their own destiny, sharing responsibility for the future of everyone. If we can do all this, we anticipate today the future that enters the world through the window of the young.” (Pope Francis)
To build a safe environment for children the Diocese of Meath will strive to be child centred in practice and behaviour. In practical terms this will include providing guidance on, and implementing:
- Safe recruitment procedures
- Appropriate training
- Obtaining the consent of parents/guardians and children for each activity
- Maintaining adequate supervision ratios in line with best practice
- Keeping attendance lists of those involved in each Church activity
- Codes of behaviour for adults and for children
- The participation of children with specific needs
- Safe care for children (including risk assessment)
- Procedures for dealing with accidents/incidents
- Visiting clergy
- Use of information technology
- External groups who use church property
Standard 1
1.1 Safe Recruitment Procedures
1.2 Vetting: The Catholic Church’s Standards and Expectations
1.3 Maintaining Adequate Supervision Ratios
1.4 Codes of Behaviour for Church Personnel
1.5 Guidance on Creating a Code of Behaviour with Children
– includes Sample code of behaviour for children taking part in Church activities
1.6 Dealing with Breaches of Codes of Behaviour.
1.7 Developing an anti-bullying policy
1.8 Dealing with Accidents/Incidents
1.9 Participation of Children with Specific Needs
1.11 External Groups Using Church Property
1.12 Church Property Hire for Private Functions
1.13 One-to-One Contact with Children
1.13A Guidance on boundary violations
1.14 Risk/Hazard Assessment of Activities with Children
1.18 Visiting Clergy and National/International Shrines
1.19 Retired Clerics who seek to Minister and who have no Church Authority in Ireland
1.19A Guidance on International Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
1.20 Use of Information and Communication Technology
1.21 Use of Photography
1.22 Use of the Internet
1.25 A Guidance on Lay Apostolates Ministering with Children in the Diocese
1.26 Guidance on Situations where known respondents wish to worship
1.27 Guidance on Facilitating Community Service Orders on Church Property
Standard 5
Standard 6