CHILD PROTECTION

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Download Child Protection Contact Leaflet
Child Protection Policy Statement
Basic Procedures required to implement our Child Protection Policy
Role of Laurel Lodge Child Protection Committee
Who do I contact if I have a child protection issue?
Within the Parish of St Thomas The Apostle, Laurel Lodge, Child Protection is Everybody’s Responsibility
Child Protection Policy Statement
We in the Parish of St Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge value and encourage the participation of children and young people in all parish activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.
We recognise the dignity and rights of all children and are committed to ensuring their protection and support.
In keeping with this we will work to do all in our power to create safe environments for children and young people in order to secure their protection and enable their full participation in the life of the Church.
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Core procedures for working with children and young people
Our Parish undertakes to have the following in place:
- Procedures for recruitment of adult leaders working with young people
- A general Code of Conduct for all adult leaders.
- A Code of Behaviour for children and young people to deal with any disciplinary issues arising during group activities.
- Specific guidelines for all away trips including pilgrimages, day trips and incentive events. These will be made known to the young people, leaders and parents/guardians by means of information sessions.
- Guidelines for the use of photography at church events.
- A clearly communicated Accident/Emergency plan.
- A training programme for all adult leaders in tha area of child protection and health and safety.
- Adequate record keeping processes:
- Detailed participant forms including
- Signed parental consent for each yound person
- Contact information for paretns/guardians
- Medical information and treatment permission as appropriate for all young people
- Incident/accident report forms
- Programme/attendance records
- Volunteer application forms
- Training records for child protection and health and safety sessions.
- A designated team assigned to deal with any child protection concerns and/or complaints raised by young peopl, adult leaders or parents/guardians.
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Role of Child Protection Team
- To Help Parish to develop an understanding of best practice issues in working with children and young people in Church Settings
- To promote awareness of Parish Child Protection Policy Basic Procedures and Code of Conduct and Code of Behaviour
- To Facilitate training sessions in “Best Practice in Ministry with Children and Young People in the Local Community” for Parish Groups to ensure that policy and procedures are put in place.
- To Ensure Public have ready access to contact details for the Director of Child Protection, Dublin Archdiocese and civil authorities
- To Liaise with Diocesan Child Protection Coordinator - To Deal with any “Child Protection” concerns and/or complaints raised by young people, adult leaders or parents/guardians.
- The Child Protection team will respond promptly to all concerns and liaise with the required Civil and Church Authorities.
- All concerns and/or complaints will be forwarded to the relevant authorities in a timely and efficient manner
- To Assist anyone in the Parish in bringing an allegation or suspicion of child abuse to the attention of the Director of Child Protection, should they wish to have such support.
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Contacts
If you have concerns about Child Protection in our parish, either as an adult or a child please feel free to contact any of the following:
Confidentiality is assured in conjunction with the Child Protection Service Dublin Archdiocese, the Health Service Executive and the Gardai
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Other Useful Contacts
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