St. Maur's Parish
Rush, Co Dublin, Ireland


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Child Protection Policy

Table of Contents


  • Parish Policy Statement
  • The Principles underlying our Document
  • Definition of Child Abuse
  • Child Protection Representative
  • Best Practice and Code of Behaviour when working with children & young People
  • Rush Parish Procedures
  • Making Information Available
  • Recruitment & Training of Volunteers
  • Appendix 1 - Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
  • Appendix 2 - Contact Information
  • Appendix 3 - Children's Code of Behaviour
  • Appendix 4 - Permission to Travel - Consent Form



Parish Policy Statement

We in St. Maur's Parish, Rush value and encourage the participation of children and young people in parish liturgies and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We recognize the dignity and rights of all children and are committed to 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.



The Principles Underlying our Document

The Principles are derived from:

· Gospel Values
· International Law
· Domestic Legislation

These Principles include the following:

The principles derived from Gospel values are:

· Each child and young person (Age 0 - 18, Ref: Our Children, Our Church) shall be cherished and affirmed as a gift from God with an inherent right to dignity of life and bodily integrity which shall be respected, nurtured and protected by all.

· Everyone in the Church has an obligation to ensure that the fundamental rights of children are respected.

· A child's right to safety and care is inalienable.

· Children have a right to an environment free from abuse or neglect.

· Children have a fundamental right to justice and freedom; they have a right to be listened to and to be heard.

· Children have a right to good role models whom they can fully trust, who will respect them and nurture their spiritual, physical and emotional development.

· Those who have suffered child abuse by Church personnel should receive a compassionate and just response and should be offered appropriate pastoral care as they seek to rebuild their lives.
The principles derived from civil sources are:

· All adults have a duty to report allegations or suspicions of child abuse, where reasonable grounds for concern exist, irrespective of the status of the person suspected or their relationship to them or to the child.

· Due regard must be given to the criminal dimension of any action.

· It is the statutory duty of the civil authorities, not individuals or organisations, to investigate reports of child abuse.

· A proper balance must be maintained between protecting children and respecting the needs and rights of carers and adults; however, where there is a conflict, the welfare of the child must be paramount.

· Actions taken to protect a child should not in themselves be abusive or cause the child unnecessary distress. Every action and procedure should consider the overall needs of the child.

· Organisations have a corporate responsibility to operate effective systems to assure the protection of children. They should ensure best practice in relation to recruitment and selection processes, provide appropriate training and ensure that all personnel are aware of their responsibility both to prevent child abuse and to report concerns about child abuse.

· All agencies and disciplines concerned with the protection and welfare of children must work cooperatively in the best interests of children.


Definition of Child Abuse

The rationale behind drawing up a Policy for the Parish is based on best practice as outlined in Church and Statutory Guidelines. With this in mind, perhaps it is helpful at this point to define what is meant by child abuse. (For Signs and Symptoms of each type of abuse, see Appendix 1)

Definition of Child Abuse
Child abuse occurs when the behaviour of someone in a position of greater power than a child or young person abuses that power and causes harm to that child or young person. Child abuse, for our purposes, is categorised into four groups:

1. Emotional abuse
2. Physical Abuse
3. Sexual Abuse
4. Neglect

Emotional abuse:
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. Emotional abuse is normally found in the relationship between a care-giver and child.

Physical abuse:
Physical abuse is any form of non-accidental injury or injury which results from wilful or neglectful failure to protect a child; e.g. shaking a child, excessive force.

Sexual abuse:
Sexual abuse occurs where a child is used by another person for his or her gratification for sexual arousal or for that of others.
Indirect abuse of children occurs where children have been photographed, videotaped or filmed for pornographic purposes or subjected to gross and obscene language or indecent images.

Neglect:
Neglect can be defined in terms of an omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, and medical care.

Neglect generally becomes apparent in different ways over a period of time rather than at one specific point. It is the persistent failure to meet a child's physical, emotional and/or psychological needs that is likely to result in significant harm.

Examples of neglect include:

· Where a child suffers a series of minor injuries as a result of not being properly supervised or protected.

· The consistent failure of a child to gain weight or height may indicate that they are being deprived of adequate nutrition

· Where a child consistently misses school, this may be due to bullying or deprivation of intellectual stimulation and support.

When developing structures to safe-guard children in our Parish, sensitive cognisance is taken of children with special vulnerabilities who may need additional support.



Child Protection Representatives

As part of our policy Rush Parish is committed to nominating Child Protection Representatives in accordance with Our Children Our Church.

The responsibilities of the Child Protection Representatives will be:

· To promote awareness of the Church's child protection policies.

· To ensure that the public has ready access to contact details for the Director of Child Protection.

· To facilitate 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.

· The Parish Child Protection Representatives should be appointed by the parish after appropriate consultation and agreement with the diocese. The people appointed should have the personal qualities, interest and life experience fitting to the tasks involved. They will be given a role specification, be required to undergo training and will be able to draw on expert help and support from the Director of Child Protection.

· The Child Protection Representatives will be given every assistance by the Parish Pastoral Council in carrying out their tasks.

· The Child Protection Representatives do not deal with the reported child abuse themselves, but refers it to the designated person within the diocese, i.e. the Director of the Child Protection Service.


Best Practice and Code of Behaviour when Working with Children and Young People



Code of Good Practice

Rush Parish has a Code of Good Practice in place for working with children and young people. The aim of this is to ensure the safety of children and young people, to enhance the work practices of Church personnel, and to reassure parents and guardians, as well as children themselves, that there is a commitment to best practice.

The Code includes positive child-centred statements about the importance of:

· Listening to children and young people;
· Valuing and respecting them as individuals;
· Rewarding their efforts as well as achievements;
· Involving them in decision making (where appropriate);
· Encouraging and praising them.

General Conduct

· Physical punishment of children is not permissible under any circumstances.

· Verbal abuse of children or telling jokes of a sexual nature in the presence of children can never be acceptable. Great care should be taken if it is necessary to have a conversation regarding sexual matters with a child or young person.

· Being alone with a child or young person may not always be wise or appropriate practice. If a situation arises where it is necessary to be alone with a child, another responsible adult should be informed immediately, by telephone if necessary. A diary note that the meeting with the young person took place, including the reasons for it, should be made.

· Best practice in relation to travel with children and young people should be observed. Personnel 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 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, a record of this should be made and the child's parent or guardian should be informed as soon as possible.

· Children and young people should not be permitted to work or remain in churches, parish property or schools unless there are at least two adults present.

· All children and young people must be treated with equal respect; favouritism is not acceptable.

· Personnel should not engage in or tolerate any behaviour – verbal, psychological or physical – that could be construed as bullying or abusive.

· A disproportionate amount of time should not be spent with any particular child or group of children.

· Under no circumstances should Church personnel give alcohol, tobacco or drugs to children or young people.

· Alcohol, tobacco or drugs must not be used by personnel who are supervising or working with children or young people.

· Only age-appropriate language, activities and material on media products (such as camera phones, video, internet) should be used when working with children and young people. Any use of computers should be under adult supervision. Sexually explicit or pornographic material is never acceptable.

· Best practice regarding phone numbers. Adults in charge needing to make contact with children or young people should do so via the parents.

· An incident report form must be filled out for any incident involving a child or young adult, which in the view of anyone concerned needs reporting. This incident must also be reported to any one of the Parish Child Protection Representatives.

Respect for Physical Integrity

· The physical integrity of children and young people must be respected at all times.

· Personnel must not engage in inappropriate physical contact of any kind – including tough physical play, physical reprimand and horseplay (tickling, wrestling). 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).

Respect for Privacy

· The right to privacy of children and young people must be respected 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.

· Photographs of children or young people must never be taken while they are in changing areas (for example, in a locker room or bathing facility).

· Tasks of a personal nature (for example, helping with toileting, washing or changing clothing) should not be done for children or young people if they can undertake these tasks themselves.

Meetings with Children and Young People

· If the pastoral care of a child or young person necessitates meeting alone with them, such meetings should not be held in an isolated environment. The times and designated locations for meetings should allow for transparency and accountability (for example, be held in rooms with a clear glass panel or window, in buildings where other people are present, and with the door of the room left open).

· Both the length and number of meetings should be limited.

· Parents or guardians should be informed that the meeting(s) took place, except in circumstances where to do so might place the child in danger.

· Visits to the home or private living quarters of Church personnel should not be encouraged, nor should meetings be conducted in such locations.

· When the need for a visit to the home of a child or young person arises, professional boundaries must be observed at all times.

Children with Special Needs or Disabilities

· Child with special needs or disability may depend on adults more than other children for their care and safety, and so sensitivity and clear communication are particularly important.

· Where it is necessary to carry out tasks of a personal nature for a child with special needs, this should be done with the full understanding and consent of parents or guardians.

· In carrying out such personal care tasks, sensitivity must be shown to the child and the tasks should be undertaken with the utmost discretion.

· Any care task of a personal nature which a child or young person can do for themselves should not be undertaken by a worker.

· In an emergency situation where this type of help is required, parents should be fully informed as soon as is reasonably possible.

Vulnerable Children and Adults

· Since especially vulnerable children may depend on adults more than other children for their care and safety, sensitivity and clear communication are of utmost importance.

· Workers should be aware that vulnerable children may be more likely than other children to be bullied or subjected to other forms of abuse, and may also be less clear about physical and emotional boundaries.

· It is particularly important that vulnerable children should be carefully listened to, in recognition of the fact that they may have difficulty in expressing their concerns and in order that the importance of what they say is not underestimated.

Trips away from Home

· All trips, including day trips, overnight stays and holidays, need careful advance planning, including adequate provision for safety in regard to transport, facilities, activities and emergencies. Adequate insurance should be in place.

· Written consent by a parent or guardian specifically for each trip and related activities must be obtained well in advance.

· A copy of the itinerary and contact telephone numbers should be made available to parents and guardians.

· There must be adequate, gender-appropriate, supervision for boys and girls.

· Arrangements and procedures must be put in place to ensure that rules and appropriate boundaries are maintained in the relaxed environment of trips away.

· Particular attention should be given to ensuring that the privacy of young people is respected when they are away on trips.

· The provision of appropriate and adequate sleeping arrangements should be ensured in advance of the trip.

· Sleeping areas for boys and girls should be separate and supervised by two adults of the same sex as the group being supervised.

· At least two adults should be present in dormitories in which children or young people are sleeping. Under no circumstances should an adult share a bedroom with a young person.

· If, in an emergency situation, an adult considers it necessary to be in a children's dormitory or bedroom without another adult being present they should (a) immediately inform another adult in a position of responsibility and (b) make a diary note of the circumstances.


Rush Parish Procedures

In order to implement Rush Parish Child Protection Policy the parish has the following procedures in place:

1. The role of each group
Ensure that all groups provide the Parish Child Protection Representatives with a definition of their role involving children and young people.

2. Policy Document be given to each group
Ensure that all groups are given this entire policy document.

3. Record Keeping
Ensure that incident report forms are available in the sacristy for the documentation of any incidents involving children and young people.

4. Parental Consent
Ensure that a signed consent form from parents or guardians is obtained prior to the participation of children and young people in events, activities and groups. Parents or guardians should be asked to indicate if the children have any specific dietary requirements, medical needs or special needs.

5. Written applications from all volunteers
Ensure that all groups be provided with and collect application forms from all their volunteers.

6. References
Ensure that all groups be provided with and collect reference forms from all their volunteers.

7. Garda Vetting
Ensure that Garda Vetting forms for volunteers are submitted to the Diocese.

8. Once a year a presentation be given on Child Protection Policy
Ensure that members of all groups complete a child protection course once for their term of office.



Making Information Available

To assist the reporting of child protection concerns, the contact details of the Diocesan Designated Person will be available at parish level. They will, for example, be displayed in clearly visible and accessible places, such as the entrance to the Church and in other relevant community buildings. Please note that the H.S.E. and the Gardai may also be contacted.

The contact details for the Parish Child Protection Representatives will also be made available. (For Contact Information see Appendix 2)

Each group working with children and young people, together with the priests and the Parish Pastoral Council, will be given a copy of the Policy document and asked to read it to ensure that everyone knows the Parish Policy on Child Protection.

We recommend that all groups operating in a church setting, including visiting groups, be made aware of the policies and procedures for child protection in operation in the parish and shall be asked to confirm that they will implement these policies and procedures. Responsibility for ensuring that our Policy has the agreement of such groups will fall on the sub-group of the Parish Pastoral Council under whose care they fall.

We recommend that a presentation regarding the Child Protection Policy be made once a year for all groups involved. A record will be kept for all those who have attended this presentation.



Recruitment & Training of Volunteers

General Principles

'Safe practice starts with safe recruitment procedures'. Most people who apply to work with children and young people in the Church are well-motivated and potentially suitable for the various tasks involved. It is most important, however, that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that this is, in fact, the case. As well as enhancing the prospects of identifying the best person for the post, rigorous recruitment procedures can act as a deterrent to unsuitable applicants.

Some of the principles which enhance the safety of recruitment include:

· Always applying thorough selection procedures regardless of who the applicant is and whether the position is full-time, part-time, permanent, paid or voluntary.

· Judging the suitability of applicants across a broad range of criteria, through interview.

· Ensuring that interviews are conducted by more than one person and that at least one of those interviewing has established competence in interviewing and selection for posts involving work with children.

· Taking all reasonable steps to exclude unsuitable candidates by insisting on and verifying references, qualification and previous records of employment.

Key issues in recruitment processes

The safety of recruitment processes can also be enhanced by ensuring that due attention is paid to the key issues outlined below.

Clear definition of role
Written application
Interviews
Declaration Form
References
Garda Vetting


Appendix 1

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse


Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Child Abuse · Rejection
· Lack of praise or encouragement
· Lack of comfort and love
· Lack of attachment
· Lack of proper stimulation
· Lack of continuity of continuity of care
· Serious over-protectiveness
· Inappropriate non-physical punishment
· Family conflicts and/or violence
· Inappropriate expectations of a child's behaviour – relative to his or her age and stage of development
· Every child who is abused sexually or physically is also emotionally abused

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse · Bruises
· Fractures
· Swollen joints
· Burns or scalds
· Abrasions or lacerations
· Haemorrhages
· Damage to body organs
· Poisonings – repeated
· Failure to thrive
· Coma or unconsciousness
· Death

Signs & Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse · Bleeding from vagina or anus
· Difficulty or pain in passing urine or faeces
· An infection may occur secondary to sexual abuse, which may or may not be a definitive sexually transmitted disease. Professionals should be informed if a child has a persistent vaginal discharge or has warts or a rash in the genital area.
· Noticeable and uncharacteristic change or behaviour
· Hints about sexual activity
· Age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behaviour
· Inappropriate seductive behaviour
· Sexually aggressive behaviour with others uncharacteristic sexual play with peers or with toys
· Unusual reluctance to join in normal activities which involve undressing, for example, games or swimming

Particular behavioural signs and emotional problems suggestive of child abuse in young children (0-10) · Mood change, for example acting out or the child becomes fearful or withdrawn
· Lack of concentration (change in school performance)
· Bed wetting, soiling
· Psychosomatic complaints: pains, headaches
· Skin disorders
· Nightmares, change in sleep patterns
· School refusal
· Separation anxiety
· Loss of appetite
· Isolation

Particular behavioural signs and emotional problems suggestive of child abuse in older children (over 10) · Mood change, for example, depression, failure to communicate
· Running away · Drug, alcohol, or solvent abuse
· Self-mutilation
· Suicide attempts
· Delinquency
· Truancy
· Eating disorders
· Isolation Signs and Symptoms of Child Neglect · Abandonment or desertion
· Children persistently left alone without adequate care and supervision.
· Malnourishment, lacking food, inappropriate food or erratic feeding.
· Lack of warmth
· Lack of adequate clothing
· Lack of protection and exposure to danger, including moral danger, or lack of supervision appropriate to the child's age
· Persistent failure to attend school
· Non-organic failure to thrive, that is, a child not gaining weight, not alone due to malnutrition but also due to emotional deprivation
· Failure to provide adequate care for a child's medical problems
· Exploited, overworked

Appendix 2

Contact Personnel


Dublin Diocese Child Protection Office    01-8360314

Dublin Diocese Director of Child Protection Service
      Mr. Philip Garland    01-8842590

Dublin Diocese Training & Development Coordinator
      Fr. Paddy Boyle    086-1011415

Garda Vetting
      Ms. Jo Parada, Human Resources Dept.
      Diocesan Offices, Clonliffe College    01-8379253

Rush Parish Child Protection Representatives
      Brendan Harpur    087-6782276
      Yvonne Monahan    086-8312840
      Fr. Kieran Coghlan P.P.    01-8437208

Garda Siochana (Rush)    01-8437202

Health Services Executive (HSE)    1850-241850

Samaritans Helpline    1850 609 090

Childline    1850 666 666

Emergency Numbers    999 or 112



Appendix 3

Children's Code of Behaviour
    1. Treat all other children with respect, and do not use bullying tactics.
    2. Be fair and do not tell lies about others or adults.
    3. Abide by the rules as set out in the Church policy on Child Protection.
    4. Respect the house of God and promote good behaviour.
    5. Do not spread rumours.
    6. Do not harm any other children, or church property.
    7. Do not shout or argue in God's house.
    8. Children must not keep secrets, especially if they have caused harm.
    9. Do not use violence or physical contact with others.
    10. Never cheat.
    11. Talk to the person in charge if you have a problem of any kind.
    12. Behave in a manner that coincides with the dignity of the Church of God.
    13. Do not use or bring unwarranted or dangerous substances into the Church.
    14. The use of mobile phones is prohibited within the Church.




Appendix 4

Permission to Travel - Consent Form



Event:______________________________________________________________________

Venue:______________________________________________________________________

Date: __________________________      Pick-up location: ______________________

Drop off time: ____________________      Drop off location: ______________________

Children:
(Altar Servers/Children's Liturgy) X as appropriate

I have read and accept the conditions and rules as set out in the Children's Code of Behaviour when travelling to and from parish organised trips and I agree to abide by the rules.

Name:__________________________________      Date: ____________________

Parent/Guardian:

I have read and accept the conditions and rules as set out in the Children's Code of Behaviour when my child is travelling on a parish organised trip.

Name of Child(ren):________________________________________________________

Parent/Carer's name:_______________________________________________________

Emergency contact number:_________________________________________________

Date:______________________________________________


© St. Maur's Parish, Rush