Cloyne Diocesan Safeguarding  Committee

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Diocese of Cloyne Safeguarding Message
​from Bishop Crean

Safeguarding Sunday 27th March, 2022
 
Dear Reverend Father,
 
While Covid 19 changed our lives dramatically over these past two years, now we are challenged to reinvigorate our Safeguarding Mission in the diocese.  We are blessed to have so many women and men across the diocese who are committed to maintaining best practice in safeguarding the young people and vulnerable adults in our care.
 
Children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to see and experience the true face of Jesus and be able to participate in the life of the Church without fear.  Sadly, we know that has not been the case for many in Ireland.  We, in the diocese of Cloyne, are committed to helping those who have suffered abuse and seek to ensure it is never acceptable or hidden away.
 
As we return to a “new normal” we renew our vigilance in care for the young and vulnerable to ensure that abuse of children or adults does not happen in family, church or society and if it does it is dealt with as a crime.  It is clear that much abuse has taken place in families.  This reality calls for a greater effort to root out this great evil in what should be our safest and secure setting of home.
 
We, as a diocese, owe a debt of gratitude to priests and people in parishes and schools who promote safe environments for our children, young people and vulnerable adults.
 
You will note the inclusion of Vulnerable Adults in this message.  It will be reflected in a slight change of title to Safeguarding Cloyne.
 
It is my hope and vision that in our Diocese:

  • young people and vulnerable adults will continue to be able to take part in the life of the Church:
  • that all of us continue on the road to ensure that best practice in Safeguarding Standards is upheld:
  • and that those who suffered abuse in the Church may find healing and peace.
 
As we go forward, we do so with hope and trust in the Lord to guide and direct his Church. May we with humble hearts receive his word and have the courage to do what is right.
 
With prayerful best wishes,
 
Yours sincerely,
 
+ Wm. Crean
__________________________
Most Rev. William Crean, D.D.,
Bishop of Cloyne.
27th November 2020


Child Safeguarding statement Diocese of Cloyne in compliance with the requirements of the Child First Act 2015. 

Safeguarding Children Strategic Plan 2020-2022 

Safeguarding Children Annual Communication Plan - 2022

Safeguarding Children Annual Training Plan - 2022

Upcoming Adults at risk Training 2022 to be confirmed.     

​Online Ministry:

The following policies are to help Youth Ministry Leaders, Parents/Guardians and Young People to engage safely online:

Diocesan Digital Social Media and Online Communication Policy

Using an Online Communications Platform with Young People - Zoom Policy and Procedures
Online Forms:

Consent form for interactive social media platforms and online communications for under 18's

Consent form for using teleconferencing platform Zoom with under 18's

Consent form for all online engagement with over 18's

Conduct Agreement for Adults Using Online Ministry
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Review of Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures in the Diocese of Cloyne

A review into the Safeguarding Children practices and procedures will take place in the Diocese of Cloyne on the last week of June.

Bishop Crean has invited the National Board for Safeguarding Children in Ireland to undertake this Review.

Two reviewers will be visiting the Diocese to audit how the Diocese has implemented the Policy for Safeguarding Children in the Diocese.
If a person wished to make contact with reviewers or submit an observation or opinion regarding Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Cloyne then they should do so by contacting the Safeguarding Children National Board, New House, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare by the 27th of June.

Contact can be made through email at the following address acunningham@safeguarding.ie. or by phone on 01 5053124.

Indicate when contacting the Board that it is in relation to the Review into the Cloyne Diocese

Covid 19

​The Safeguarding Office is open and the Safeguarding Training Co-ordinator is also available to talk to you over the phone, via email or through video-conferencing to continue to offer advice, access to information and support.

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

For further information on how to stay safe click on link:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/protect-yourself-and-others.html 

Latest Developments to safeguarding:

Updates on Hazard (Risk) Assessment and Whistle-Blowing from the National Board for Safeguarding Children   26/01/2022

Standard 1  is about creating and maintaining safe environments; and states that ‘The Church body implements effective practice for Church personnel on assessment of hazards when working with children’.

This means that every activity involving children and facilitated by Church personnel must have a written child safeguarding risk assessment also known as a hazard assessment.



Whistleblowing can be defined as ‘raising concerns about wrong-doing or misconduct within an organisation or within an independent structure associated with it’. It differs from raising concerns about allegations of abuse.
Adults at risk Training 2022 to be confirmed in the Autumn.  

Child Safeguarding Policy, Procedures & Forms 

​​Volunteer Information Handout 
Outlines the Procedures/Forms relevant to roles within the Church
All Safeguarding Forms are available to print from the Child Safeguarding Procedures and Forms for Parishes (Blue Folder- see below)

Child & Parent Information Handout
All Safeguarding Forms are available to print from the Child Safeguarding Procedures and Forms for Parishes (Blue Folder- see below)

Form 1.1A(6) - Volunteer Declaration Form (New Form)
This Form should be completed in respect of all volunteers in the parish.  The requesting of two references and checking with the referees is no longer a general requirement however, if the role involves working with children/vulnerable adults and if the person named on the form is not known to the Priest(s)/a member of the Parish Safeguarding Personnel, the names and contact details of two people who are not relatives of the volunteer should be provided for reference purposes and a check conducted with the referees concerned.

Agreement Form 5.1A(1) and Confidentiality Form 1.1A(5)
These two forms have now been amalgamated for ease of administration


These Forms should be used solely for paid staff.
Form 1.1A(2) - Application Form
Form 1.1A(3) - Declaration Form

Updated 18/07/2018

​Parish Resource Pack  
Click on the following links to download

Child Safeguarding Policy & Procedures for Parishes (White Folder)

Child Safeguarding Procedures & Forms  for Parishes(Blue Folder)

Garda Vetting Form:

Click here to download
Garda Vetting Invitation Form NVB1

Updated 05/03/2020

Parish Audit:
Please click here to download: Parish Audit Form 2021