Safeguarding Children
Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland
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Role of the Local Parish Representative
Introduction
The role of the Local Representative is to oversee the implementation of Keeping Children Safe in the parish. This necessitates working co-operatively with the priest and with any adult whose ministry brings them into contact with children/young people. These adults will include:
The above list is not exhaustive.
Core Tasks
The Local Representative for Keeping Children Safe must ensure that the aforementioned personnel do the following
1. Get written parental consent for all children/young people who are involved in the relevant activity
2. Record the attendance of each child/young person at the activity (in relation to Choir, recording applies to Choir Practice and not the participation at Mass and other liturgical functions)
3. Complete a Self Declaration Form which states that they have no conviction in respect of children
4. Ensure that there is adequate supervision for the children/young people (appropriate ratio of adults to children.)
5. Have a facility for recording any substantial incident that may occur during the activity.
6. The Local Representative will monitor each group three times yearly to check on the implementation of these tasks. Using the Local Parish Represenative Checking form provided - Appendix 7. Copies of each individual checking form must be kept .
A Parish Hall is any building used as a hall which is vested in the Diocese of Killaloe. Groups using the Parish Hall may have their own Child Protection/Welfare Guidelines. If so, the Local Representative will check that these guidelines are compatible with Keeping Children Safe. The Local Representative has a responsibility to inform any individuals/groups who work with children/young people in the Parish Hall of Keeping Children Safe Child Protection Guidelines. The Local Representative, either directly or through a member of the Hall Committee, will inform such groups/individuals in writing of the following:
The leaders using the hall must:
1. Have insurance and copies of same must be held on church property.
2. Get written parental consent.
3. Sign the Self Declaration Form and return it to the Local Representative or member of the hall committee. In situations where a Self Declaration Form has already been signed by leaders (e.g. a Scout Leader) a copy will suffice.
4. Provide adequate supervision-appropriate ratio of adults to children.
5. Record the attendance of each person.
6. Record any substantial incident that may have impaired the well being of a child/young person.
Suggested Code of Behaviour for Workers and Volunteers.
2.1 General Conduct
Being alone with a child or young person is not appropriate practice. Should circumstances arise where this is unavoidable, immediately inform another responsible adult, by telephone if necessary. Make a diary note that the meeting with the young person took place, including the reasons for it. Observe best practice in relation to travel with children and young people. Workers and volunteers should not undertake any car or minibus journey alone with a child or young person. If in certain circumstances only one adult is available, there should be a minimum of two children or young people present for the entire journey. In the event of an emergency where it is necessary to make a journey alone with a child, make a record of this and inform the child's parents or guardians as soon as possible.
Children and young people should not be permitted to work or remain in churches and parish property unless there are at least two adults present.
Treat all children and young people with equal respect; favouritism is not acceptable.
Be cognisant of the imbalance in power inherent in adult-child relationships.
Do not engage in or tolerate any behaviour - verbal, psychological or physical - that could be construed as bullying.
Do not spend a disproportionate amount of time with any particular child or group of children.
Under no circumstances give alcohol, tobacco or drugs to children or young people.
Do not use alcohol, tobacco or drugs when supervising or working with children and young people.
Use only age-appropriate language, media products and activities when working with children and young people. Sexually explicit or pornographic material is never appropriate.
2.2 Respect for Physical Integrity
Respect the physical integrity of children and young people at all times.
Do not engage in inappropriate physical contact of any kind -including rough physical play, physical reprimand and horseplay (tickling, wrestling, etc).
This should not prevent appropriate contact in situations where it is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of a child (for example, where a child is distressed).
2.3 Respect for Privacy
Respect the privacy of children and young people at all times.
Particular care regarding privacy must be taken when young people are in locations such as changing areas, swimming pools, showers and toilets.
Do not take photographs of children or young people while they are in changing areas (for example, in a locker room or bathing facility).
Never do things of a personal nature (for example, helping with toileting, washing or changing clothing) for children and young people that they can do themselves.
2.4 Meetings with Children and Young People
If the pastoral care of a young person necessitates the arrangement of a meeting alone with them, do not meet in isolated environments. Schedule meetings at times and at designated locations that allow for transparency and accountability (for example, rooms with a clear glass panel or window, an open door, and in buildings where other people are present).
Limit both the length and number of meetings.
Inform parents or guardians that the meeting (s) took place, except in circumstances where to do so might place the child in danger.
Do not encourage visits to or conduct meetings in private homes or personal living quarters.
When the need for a visit to the home of a child or young person arises professional boundaries must be observed at all times.
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