Safeguarding

Parish of Ardkeen Safeguarding Committee

Chairperson: Madeleine Bell
Vice Chairperson: Paula McKeown
Father Robert Sloan
Down and Connor Designated Officer: Phillip O’Hara – 07534992124

Useful Contacts
PSNI – 101
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Gateway Team – 0300 100 0300
Emergency Social Work (Out of Hours) – 0800 197 9995

Code of Behaviour for young children

  • Will listen carefully to the group leaders and show kindness to others in our group.
  • Will have fun together sharing, caring and taking turns.
  • Will not hurt others with our words and our hands.

Codes of Behaviour for older children and young people

  • Treating everyone with respect.
  • Treating property with respect.
  • Not consuming alcohol, tobacco, vapes or illegal drugs.
  • Agreeing not to bring any physical item into the church activity that might cause offence or harm to others.
  • Acting as a good role model.
  • Attending activities on time.
  • Signing in and out turning off your mobile phone.
  • Telling someone you trust if you feel uncomfortable with any situation or individual.
  • Not using bad language when communicating via the spoken word by phone or email.
  • Never bullying anyone or sending threatening messages.

Parents/ Guardians

  • Bring/ collect your child, young person or vulnerable adult punctually to/ from the activity venue.
  • Inform the leader of any information which could have an impact on the child’s, young person’s or vulnerable adult’s participation in the activity.
  • Be alert to the possibility of danger and abuse.

Keeping our Children Safe

Ardkeen Parish Safeguarding Information for Parishioners

Safeguarding Children Policy Statement of the Diocese of Down and Connor

The Diocese of Down and Connor, as part of the Catholic Church in Ireland recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children and is committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing and will work in partnership with parents/ guardians to do this. The Diocese recognises each child as a gift from God, and we value and encourage the participation of children in all activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. All Church personnel (including clergy, religious, staff and volunteers) have a responsibility to safeguard children through promoting their welfare, health and development in a safe and caring environment which supports their best interests and prevents abuse.

In the Parish of Ardkeen, safeguarding involves all of us; the Parish Priest, the Safeguarding Committee (PSC), volunteers and the entire Parish community.

The welfare of our children, young people and adults at risk is of paramount importance in everything we do.

What is the Parish Safeguarding Committee (PSC)?

The primary role of the PSC is to ensure that our Parish is a safe and welcoming place for children and adults at risk and a place of encouragement and support for all the volunteers working with them.

The PSC is required to:

  • Be aware of all parish activities taking place in the parish (including those activities using parish facilities).
  • Ensure a safe recruitment and vetting procedure for Group leaders and volunteers involved in activities with children and adults at risk.
  • Raise awareness of both Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
  • Ensure church activities are provided in a way that children/ young people and adults at risk are looked after safely and protected from abuse.
  • Publicise Safeguarding information and contact details of the relevant civil and diocesan safeguarding personnel widely signposting support available to anyone who has a concern.
  • Ensure that the parish complies with legislation regarding General Data Protection (GDPR).
  • Complete an annual safeguarding audit to assist the parish to review safeguarding practices in the parish and identify where action is needed.

The PSC does not have an investigative role in the protection of children, young people and adults at risk.

The risk to children, young people, and adults at risk in our parish is minimised within a culture of safeguarding. Safeguarding is and should always be a shared responsibility amongst us all and in celebrating Safeguarding Sunday provides an opportunity for us all to collectively renew our commitment to the pastoral care of victims of abuse and their families and to the children, young people and adults in our parish community.

What do I do if I have a concern about a child or young person or adult at risk?
In the porch of our two churches, you will find a copy of details of who to contact should you have a concern about a child or young person or adults at risk.

The Diocese has a Designated Officer Philip O’Hara whose role is to provide a service which processes all allegations of abuse against children, young people or adults at risk brought to the attention of the diocese.
As an adult, if you have been abused as a child or have a concern about a child, young person or adult at risk, there are several options for addressing this. You may contact the following:

  • The Police (PSNI)
  • Social Services
  • NSPCC
  • The Church, through the Designated Officer.

Parish Complaints Procedure for non-safeguarding matters

A complaint is defined as a grievance and/ or raising a concern about breaches of codes of behaviour by volunteers or church personnel. Complaints are made to the group leader or Parish Safeguarding Committee.

Allegations or suspicions of child abuse DO NOT fall under this guidance

Diocesan Guidance on Use of Technology

This guidance provides advice and guidance in line with legislation with respect to privacy, dignity and the rights of all users, particularly children, young people and adults at risk, on the use of technology which includes digital and online systems such as photography, internet texting and CCTV/ Webcams.

More information can be found on Child Safeguarding in the Diocese of Down and Connor https://downandconnorsafeguarding.com

Current Church Groups and Activities for Children and Young People

Group Safeguarding Leaders:

Choir – Mrs Paula McKeown
Children’s Liturgy – Mrs Geraldine Gilmore
Altar Servers – Mrs Grainne McNamara (St Joseph) & Ms Ellen Mary Woods (St Mary Star of the Sea)
Lay Readers – Ms Ellen Mary Woods

Within our parish we are supported in promoting a culture of safeguarding by group leaders, volunteers and parishioners involved in various aspects of parish life. On behalf of the Parish Safeguarding Committee, thank you for your support.

Madeleine Bell
Chair of the Parish of Ardkeen Safeguarding Committee
3rd February 2024

Click here to download the Parish Safeguarding Document