DRY
Diocesan Centre
24 London Street
Londonderry
BT48 6RQ
tel: 02871 262440
e: dry@igntie.cd
Safeguarding Trust 11.06.08 // Comment
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If you click the links below they will answer some of your questions if these cannot be answered then please contact the youth office and we will try and help as best we can. |
Where can I get a copy of Safeguarding Trust?
Which bit is relevant to me as a volunteer leader (e.g. Sitting Ducks)?
Where can I find the form to get police checked?
Who can I contact with regard to Safeguarding Trust?
Where can I download this free book? The Church's child protection code has been in place for a decade. This means for the thousands of
children using Church of Ireland premises for worship and other activities, such as Sunday schools,
youth organisations and clubs, that they are protected from all kinds of abuse, and that parishes
are consciously promoting their general safety and welfare.
Our children's ministry is also only possible because of the commitment of adults who are prepared
to work with children and who have been selected, appointed and trained to feel confident that
their practices are good and that they are protected from unfounded allegations.
Child protection is however an area of constant development. The church has moved to include
it in its constitution and this has placed a requirement on bishops and dioceses to ensure that
Safeguarding Trust shall be implemented and adhered to throughout the Church of Ireland as an
integral part of the church's ministry with children.
Child protection officers have been put in place in each jurisdiction to advise on and provide training,
to assist the work of the diocesan evaluation teams and to provide advice and direction in relation
to any necessary report about a concern, suspicion or allegation.
A new edition of the Code has been presented in a user-friendly loose-leaf folder to each parish.
Parishes will be able to photocopy relevant sections including specific guidance to assist those
undertaking particular activities.
Parishes have already received advice on topics like the photography of children and the use
of mobile phones and such briefings will be included in the new edition.
Approximately every three years each parish undergoes an evaluation of how well it is
implementing Safeguarding Trust. Here are a few of the questions which are asked of
the parish panel and select vestry:
- Are notices displayed in church premises about Safeguarding Trust giving names
of panel members?
It is the responsibility of the panel and select vestry to ensure that the parish can answer these and
other questions in a positive way. Safeguarding Trust helps us set high standards of care. Parents
have a right to expect these standards as they entrust their children to the church. Children have the
right to be protected from harm and workers have a right to be secure in safe practice. The Republic
has introduced legislation regarding reckless endangerment of children but Our Lord said it 2000
years ago, Matthew 18.6: "Whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in me,
it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the
depths of the sea." For all these reasons Safeguarding Trust is a vital part of our church's ministry.
- Church of Ireland Board of Education Each pack can be supplied by the Child Protection Officer for the North/South. If however you would like to
download a pack and see what there is please click on the following link: The sections that are relevant to you as a volunteer worker are SECTIONS 5-8. These can be downloaded from the
main church of ireland website which you can find at the following link: The Access NI forms are available from Shaun in the DRY office. If you want to get a form please make sure you inform Shaun
and he will have chat with regard to how it can be filled out and sent back to the DRY office. The main source of the packs can be found with the Child Protection Officer for the North/South.
The details for these contacts are as follows:
North - Margaret Yar
South - Renee English The 'Safeguarding Trust 2008' booklet can be downloaded in individual sections or in a whole piece. If you would like
a physical copy of the booklet please contact your local minister, the youth office or the Child Protection Offer for your area.
This is a well resourced pack and has a great amount of resources and ideals within, please ,ake sure you read it carefully
and use it wisely.
What is Safeguarding Trust 11.06.08 // Comment
- How are parishioners/young people being made aware of the role of panel members?
- Is a filing system of records of workers with children/young people in place?
- Are attendance registers, consent forms and completed accident and incident books
and documents related to recruitment etc. kept securely?
- In new appointments of workers in the parish, were the procedures of
Safeguarding Trust followed?
- Was a Garda Vetting or AccessNI check obtained for each new worker before commencing
duties?
- When were the premises being used by young people last inspected on behalf of the select
vestry with their safety and welfare in mind?
- Have you an evacuation procedure? Where is the accident/incident book kept?
- What ongoing training for workers is being provided by the parish?Where can I get a copy of Safeguarding Trust? 11.06.08 // Comment
Which bit is relevant to me as a volunteer leader (e.g. Sitting Ducks)? 11.06.08 // Comment
Where can I find the form to get police checked? 11.06.08 // Comment
Who can I contact with regard to Safeguarding Trust? 11.06.08 // Comment
Where can I download this free book? 11.06.08 // Comment