Safeguarding Trust Policy

It is the policy of the Church of Ireland to safeguard all adults sharing in its ministry and to protect them from all forms of harm and abuse.

The Carrigrohane Union of Parishes is committed to safeguarding adults at risk of harm due to their personal life or life circumstances by working under the guidance Adult Safeguarding Panel of the Diocese and adhers to the Church of Ireland Adult Safeguarding Code of Good Practice.

Children are a fundamental part of our Church family and we are committed to following ‘Safeguarding Trust’ (the Church of Ireland’s child protection policy) as a way of creating and maintaining a safe environment where all our children are protected from any type of abuse; so that you as parents feel confident when entrusting your children to our care and, so children feel happy and safe in exploring faith and sharing life as we learn to follow Jesus together.

It is important that everyone understands how to raise any concerns they may have with members in our community. 

All of our groups for children and young people adhere to Safeguarding Trust: The Church of Ireland’s Child Protection Policy.

As a large majority of our activites are facilitated by volunteers by following all of the policies and practices of ‘Safeguarding Trust‘ we are also ensuring that all of our members involved in children’s ministry are appointed and trained to operate within good practice frameworks and are protected from unfounded allegations. 

As a Church we are committed to reviewing our policy on a regular basis.

The Church of Ireland has issued a Safeguarding Trust Statement to which the Carrigorhane Union of Parishes adheres.

The Church of Ireland Child Safeguarding Policy is to ensure that the welfare of children sharing in its ministry is of paramount importance. The policy aims to provide clear direction to all those who work with children in the Church of Ireland to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities to provide a safe environment and protect children.

 The Church of Ireland’s national safeguarding policies and procedures we follow include:

• Anti-bullying Policy,
• Communications Policy,
• Working in Partnership with Parents/Guardians Policy,
• Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

We are also committed to safeguarding adults at risk of harm due to their personal life or life circumstances by working under the guidance of the Adult Safeguarding Panel of the Diocese and adhering to the Church of Ireland’s Adult Safeguarding Code of Good Practice.

It is the policy of the Church of Ireland to set standards for the welfare of all children sharing in its ministry with a view to protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. Safeguarding Trust (2018) is the Church of Ireland’s Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children. First published in 1997, the latest (4th) edition is available at Safeguarding Trust.

Safeguarding Trust is designed to: 

• create a safe environment which will promote healthy and fulfilling participation of children and young people in educational and recreational activities and minimise the possibility of harm, either deliberate or accidental, 
• encourage safe practices for those who work with children, 
• show the appropriate responses and procedures in the event of abuse taking place, 
• safeguard those who work with children from the consequences of unfounded accusations, and
• ensure that members of our community are aware of Safeguarding Trust and the necessity for it to be implemented in the parish. 

In each Parish there is a panel of at least three people (“the Panel”) trained to implement Safeguarding Trust. 

Should you have a concern, suspicion or allegation regarding child welfare in our parishes please contact a member of the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes’ panel:

1. Revd Robert Ferris  Tel     085 1800 720
2. Ivan McMahon Tel     086 812 5792
3. Jane Moffatt Tel     086 893 5866

The duty social worker or local area manager may be contacted at the local Tusla Child and Family Agency office.

Address: Tulsa Child and Family Agency, Block 36, St Finbarr’s Campus, Douglas Road, Cork.

Tel: 021 492 3493

In emergency contact the local Garda station

Address: Ballincollig Garda Station, Main Street, Ballincollig, Cork City, Cork, P31 XN51.

Tel: 021 421 4680 or 999/112