CHILD PROTECTION

POLICY STATEMENT

MIDDLE KILLEAVY PARISH

The parish of Middle Killeavy values and encourages the participation of children and young people in all parish activities that will help their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.

The parish recognises the dignity and rights of all children and young people and is committed to ensuring their safety and well being at all times.

The parish recognises that all involved in working with children and young people have a special duty of care towards them.

There are procedures and a code of conduct in place to implement this policy statement.

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

2. CHILD/YOUTH PROTECTION PRINCIPLES
The following principles form the basis for effective child and youth protection activity and underpin the guidance which we follow:

• In any intervention their welfare must be paramount - this overrides all consideration.

• They should be listened to and taken seriously.

• A proper balance must be struck between protecting them and respecting the rights and needs of parents and families.

•Parents and guardians have a right to respect and should be consulted and involved where possible in matters that affect their children/youth.

3. WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

NEGLECT
The persistent or significant neglect of a child or the failure to protect a child from any kind of danger, including cold or starvation or the failure to carry out important aspects of care resulting in significant impairment of the child's health and development.

PHYSICAL
Physical injury to a child whether deliberately inflicted or knowingly not prevented.

SEXUAL
The sexual exploitation of a child or young person for an adults or another young persons own gratification, the involvement of the child in sexual activities of any kind (including exposure to pornography) which they do not understand and to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate normal family values.

EMOTIONAL
Persistent or significant emotional ill treatment or rejection resulting in severe effects on the emotional, physical and / or behavioural development of the child.

4. ELEMENTS OF GOOD PRACTICE

.1 Parental Consent.
• Signed parental consent must be obtained from parents/guardians prior to the participation of children/young people in events, activities and groups.

• Inform parents/guardians about arrival & departure times, to or from venue, of children taking part in parish activities.

•Establish from parents/guardians whether the child/young person has any specific dietary requirements or medical or special needs.

2 Record Keeping
• An accurate record will be kept for each child/youn person/organiser/
supervisor participating in parish activities including, but not limited to, attendance, programme details, medical information. This record will include a copy of the signed parental/guardian consent form or letter.

• Ensure that an Incident Report Form is completed in the event of an accident or incident relating to a child/youth.

.3 Code of Behaviour & Discipline for Workers
• A code has been drawn up, which will be read, understood & signed by every worker & volunteer on being involved with children/young people in the context of the parish.

•This code includes a disciplinary procedure to be used in the event of a worker or volunteer breaching any of its requirements.

.4 Code of Behaviour & Discipline for Children.
• A code of behaviour for children/young people involved in parish activities
has been drawn up, & children & parents consulted.
• This code should respect the dignity & rights of the child/young person.
• The issue of the appropriate response to breaches of discipline & to
disruptive behaviour is covered in the code.
• Corporal punishment of children/young people will not be permitted under any circumstances.

• Discipline problems will be handled in partnership with parents/guardians.

* A copy of the code will be given to all children/young people participating in activities & to their parents/guardians

• We will ensure that all staff & volunteers are fully conversant with the code & its application.

.5 Complaints Procedure
• We will develop a clear & transparent complaints procedure to be used by
young people or parents who are dissatisfied with any aspect of activities or services provided.
• We will make sure that children/young people & their parents/guardians receive a copy of the complaints procedure
•Fully inform all staff & volunteers about the complaints procedure.

6 Health and Safety.
• Adequate & appropriate supervision will be provided in relation to all
events & activities organised for children/young people
• In places such as changing areas, toilets and showers, separate provision will be made for boys and girls
• There will be adequate and gender-appropriate supervision of boys and girls in such areas.
• Ensure that our facilities are suitable, safe and secure.
* Will ensure that fire precautions are in place and that extinguishers are checked regularly.
• Will ensure a first aid kit is readily available. This should be regularly
checked and replenished. First aid training will be provided for workers and volunteers.
• We will be alert to the risk of injury involved in some contact sports, paying particular attention to the child's/young person's age and to any medical condition or disability.
• Access to a telephone at all times will be provided in case of emergency.
* Adequate insurance will be obtained to cover all activities being undertaken. in cases of uncertainty about the level of cover, we will check with the relevant insurance provider.
* Ensure that all transport providers conform to all legal requirements.
* A clear policy to be agreed with parents/guardians regarding the taking of photographs and the making of video recordings of children/young people involved in parish activities or events. This should also cover the generation of computer images. In addition, the policy should address the question of where and for what purpose photographs and images might be displayed.

.7 Trips Away From Home

Trips away from home include but are not limited to pilgrimages, day trips, overnight stays and holidays.
* All trips need careful advance planning including adequate provision for
safety in regard to transport, facilities, activities, and emergencies. Adequate insurance will be in place.
* Written parental consent specifically for each trip and related activities must be obtained well in advance.
* A copy of the itinerary and contact telephone numbers will be made available to parents/guardians.
* There will be adequate, gender-appropriate, supervision for boys and girls.
* Arrangements and procedures will be put in place to ensure that rules and appropriate boundaries are maintained in the relaxed environment of trips away.
* Particular attention will be given to ensuring that the privacy of young people is respected when they are away on trips.
* Sleeping areas for boys and girls will be separate and supervised by two adults of the same sex as the group being supervised.
* At least two adults will be present in dormitories in which children/youngpeople are sleeping. Under no circumstances will an adult share a bedroom with a young person.
* If in an emergency situation, an adult considers it necessary to be in a child /young person's dormitory or bedroom without another adult they will (a) immediately inform another adult in a position of responsibility and (b)make a diary note of the circumstances.

.8 Recruiting, Training and Managing Personnel
* Develop clear job descriptions, skills descriptions and personnel specifications for all posts.
* All vacancies will be openly advertised.
* Application forms will be used for recruitment to all posts, including those
to be filled by volunteers. Application forms will include a Declaration Form which applicants will be required to sign stating that they do not have criminal charges, cautions or convictions against them. (A sample Application Form for Volunteers is provided in Appendix 3 and a sample Declaration Form is provided in Appendix 4.
* Applicants will be required to provide the names of two referees who can attest
to their suitability for working with children/young people
* Suitable applicants will be interviewed by an interview panel of at least two people with appropriate competence and authority.
* Written references will be obtained in respect of all candidates being considered for appointment. All written references will be followed up by verbal contact with referees.
* All personnel - lay people, religious and clergy - will undertake a recognised programme of child protection training. *
* Up-to-date files will be kept in respect of all personnel: these will include application forms, references and other relevant documentation
* Ensure that all personnel are properly supervised and supported in order that issues of concern are properly dealt with as they arise.
* All personnel procedures for priests, religious, staff and volunteers will be reviewed on a regular basis.

5. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LEADERS AND PARISH WORKERS
• Treat one another, children/young people with courtesy, respect and dignity
* Have an adequate ratio of leaders to children/youth and avoid being alone with a child/young person
• Do not undertake taking a child/young person home by car alone. If only one adult is available have a minimum of two children for the entire journey. If it is necessary to journey alone, make a record of this and inform the child/young person’s parents.
• Children/young people are not permitted to work or remain alone on parish property unless two adults are present.
• Physical contact between leaders and children/young people will be of an appropriate nature at all times.
• Leaders will not consume alcohol or smoke while having responsibility for children/young people nor will they offer them alcohol, cigarettes or drugs.
• Do not tolerate any behaviour – verbal, psychological or physical, that could be construed as bullying.
•Report any concerns or complaints to the parish designated person.
•Adhere to the parish anti-bullying policy and to the code of conduct for day trips and other events.

6. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE.

• Children/young people will be aware of a code of conduct that their leaders
have to adhere to.

• Children/young people will sign an attendance book which will also be signed by the leaders in attendance.
• Children/young people will be required to have parental consent written on their
application forms for membership.
• Children/young people will treat each other and their leaders with courtesy, respect and dignity.
• Children /young people will be made aware of their circulation boundaries
* Children/young people will not be permitted to consume alcohol, drugs or smoke while participating in activities, in keeping with civil law.
• Rough play will not be permitted at any time, and if not discontinued or persisted in will lead to expulsion.
• Children/young people are forbidden to use inappropriate language or
sexually suggestive comments.
• Children/young people in particular will respect the fact that leaders will not work alone with children/young people.
• Children/young people will be aware that bullying will not be accepted or tolerated. Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression be it verbal, psychological or physical which is conducted by an individual or group against others. Examples of bullying includes the following:
Name calling
Fighting/kicking/punching
Making suggestive comments
Intimidation/Threatening
Ignoring/excluding
Damaging property
Sending abusive text messages
Spreading rumours.
Sarcasm/mocking/derogatory remarks & gestures

7. RESPONDING TO CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS REGARDING CHILD ABUSE.

1 The Designated Person.
Middle Killeavy Parish has designated a parishioner (Ms Maire Donaghy) to be responsible for dealing with complaints or concerns regarding child abuse. Sr. Carina Muldoon SSL, Mrs. Helen Stewart and Fr. Gerry Campbell are now accredited Child Protection Trainers and will conduct training for parish designated people in March 2006. The training will incorporate 'Keeping Safe' with Church Teaching and Pastoral Care.

The name & contact details of the designated person will be made known to everyone involved in the parish & its activities (workers, volunteers, children, young people, parents/guardians).

The role of the designated person is:

• to act as a resource for any person involved in the parish (worker, volunteer,
child/young person, parent/guardian) who has concerns about any aspect of childprotection.

• to act as a liaison person with the statutory agencies responsible for child abuse issues (the Health & Social Services Boards & the PSNI)

It will be the responsibility of the designated person:

• to hear concerns regarding child abuse
• to receive complaints of child abuse
• to report complaints or concerns to the statutory authorities
• to maintain ongoing contact with the statutory authorities
• to ensure that a complete written record is kept in relation to the complaint or concern, including subsequent action taken by the parish, all communications with the statutory authorities, and the outcome of the referral.

.2 Action in regard to a Worker or Volunteer who is subject to a Complaint
Our parish will establish clear procedures to be followed where there is an allegationor suspicion of child abuse in regard to a worker or volunteer

Where the worker or volunteer is a lay person, our procedures will be based on the Guidelines contained in Children First and in Co-operating to Safeguard Children and will take cognisance of employment legislation.

Where an allegation or suspicion of child abuse relates to a priest or religious, the procedures to be followed are set out in Child Sexual Abuse: Framework for a Church Response.

.3 Responsibilities of Workers and Volunteers

• Where child abuse is observed, intervene immediately and provide a safe environment for the child. Remember, the safety and welfare of the child/young person is of paramount importance. Report the misconduct to the person designated to receive complaints. The designated person will liaise appropriately with the statutory authorities

• Where child abuse is suspected, concerns should be immediately brought to the
attention of the person designated to receive complaints who will liaise appropriately with the statutory authorities.

• Where child abuse if disclosed, either by the person directly affected or by a third party, the following provides general guidance as to an immediate response:

• Do keep calm
• Do listen carefully, with sensitivity and openness
• Do give a clear simple explanation of what will happen next
• Do reassure the child/young person of your support
• Do reassure the child/young person that they will be kept informed of developments
• Do record, date and sign an account of the meeting with the child/young person as soon as possible, including the date, time, and factual details of the conversation
• Do report to the person designated to receive complaints or concerns
• Do not panic
• Do not delay
• Do not ask leading questions
• Do not promise to keep the disclosure secret
• Do not ask the child/young person to repeat the story unnecessarily
• Do not make a judgement about the complaint or disclosure
• Do not start an investigation.

Where abuse is suspected or disclosed
the one thing you must not do is nothing