26 November 2011 Safeguarding Office – “Open Evenings”
Posted on 26. Nov, 2011
Safeguarding Office “Open Evenings”
Following on from issues raised in our annual support meetings with Vicariate Support Team (VST) chairs and representatives from each Vicariate held recently in September and October, feedback indicated that some Parish Child Care Committees (CCCs), VST members and some members of clergy were experiencing a sense of isolation from other groups, lacking in direction and losing the momentum in the safeguarding work.
As a result the Safeguarding Office set out a number of dates for “Open Evenings” to take place between now and March 2012 across the Diocese. The purpose of these Open Evenings is:
To provide staff and volunteers across the Diocese with an opportunity to meet with other CCCs, VSTs and Clergy, share experiences and learning, share issues and concerns and work together to find manageable solutions.
The first of these evenings took place on Wednesday 23 November 2011 in the Good Shepherd Centre, Belfast and there was a reasonable attendance by Priests, VST members and CCC members from;
Holy Family Vicariate
Parishs of Holy Family, Sacred Heart, St Vincent de Paul, Holy Cross, St Patrick’s
Lower Falls Vicariate
Parishs of St Peter’s, St Paul’s, St John’s, St Mary’s, Corpus Christi, Clonard
Upper Falls Vicariate
Parishs of St Michael’s, St Oliver Plunkett, St Theresa’s, Hannahstown St Agnes’, Holy Trinity
Holy Rosary Vicariate
Parishs of Holy Rosary, St Bernadette’s, St Malachy’s, St Brigid’s, St Anthony’s, St Matthew’s, St Colmcille’s, Drumbo
Three further evenings are planned as follows:
DRUMALIS, LARNE. Tuesday February 7th 2012. 7pm – 9pm
Larne Vicariate
Parishs of Carnlough, Larne, Cushendall, Cushendun, Glenarm, Glenariffe
Glengormley Vicariate
Parishs of St Mary’s-on-the-Hill, Carrickfergus, Whitehouse, Greencastle, St. James, St Gerard’s, Ballyclare
Lisburn Vicariate
Parishs of Christ the Redeemer, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lisburn, St Anne’s, Derriaghy, St Luke’s, Nativity, Aghagallon, Glenavy & Killead
ALL SAINTS PARISH CENTRE, BALLYMENA. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH 7PM- 9PM
Portrush Vicariate
Parishs of Portrush, Loughguile, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Portstewart, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Ballycastle, Armoy, Ballintoy, Culfeightrim
Ballymena Vicariate
Parishs of Ballymena, Braid, Glenravel, Ahoghill, Portglenone, Duneane, St Comgall’s Antrim, St Joseph’s Antrim, Randalstown
KILMEGAN CENTRE, CASTLEWELLAN. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28TH 7PM – 9PM
Downpatrick Vicariate
Parishs of Downpatrick, Saul, Strangford, Dunsford, Killough, Killough, Crossbar, Killyleagh, Saintfield
South Down Vicariate
Parishs of Newcastle, Upper Mourne(Kilkeel), Castlewellan, Kilcoo, Loughinisland, Dundrum, Drumaroad, Lower Mourne
Portaferry Vicariate
Parishs of Portaferry, Ballygalget, Newtownards, Bangor, Holywood, Kircubbin
The first half of the evenings have been structured to include introductions, an Update on what the Safeguarding Office has been doing and our plans for 2012 and, the second half of the evening focuses on each Vicariate discussing and considering 3 questions:
1. What is working well in your parish/ vicariate?
2. What is not working so well in your parish / vicariate?
3. What are the gaps in training and development?
The evening in the Good Shepherd highlighted a number of positives in each Vicariate group in relation to communication, working well together and the fact that so many individuals who joined up to the work 5 years ago are still offering their time and skill.
There was a recognition that the vetting and training of staff and volunteers was decreasing as we have captured the bulk of people working in Parishes and that the delivery of training works well as our standard requires two VST facilitators to undertake this.
It was also felt that an understanding of the importance of safeguarding children was improving across Parishes, and practice was also changing in the way groups manage their Parish activities.
When it came to what was not working so well there were a number of issues raised, in particular:
The development of a Code of Conduct for the various parish groups. The generic Code of Conduct, Appendix 1 in the Diocesan Child Protection Policy and Procedures document does not fully cover the range of roles and activities for all parish groups. Some require to modify it to their own requirements. Guidance has been requested of the Safeguarding Office to assist committees in this matter. Getting Codes of Conduct in place for all groups causes difficulties in most parishes
Some CCCs identified falling numbers of volunteers as a concern.
New CCC members have initial difficulty in adjusting to their role, particularly in the area of vetting.
Issues around “non parish groups” wishing to hire or rent parish premises. The procedure for doing so was explained, and there was an opportunity for questions. There was also some discussion as to single individuals wishing to hire parish premises and their difficulties in getting vetted. Clearer guidance for parishes needs to be provided by the Safeguarding Office in this area.
There was a request to clarify some of the questions in the Self-Audit Tool, in respect of the Seven Standards of Best Practice in Safeguarding Children within the Catholic Church in Ireland. To date approximately 80% of parishes have returned the Self Audit. In general most of these were completed without much difficulty. Some parishes however are still working through the audit and struggling to complete.
The results of the audits will form part of the Safeguarding Annual Report which we hope to publish in January 2012.
Training is being planned for 2012 and details of these and other matters will be available on the new Safeguarding Office website. To access the website use the link www.downandconnor.org/safeguarding
The groups were also informed of the Safeguarding Office plans to have a regular News letter Update available on the website. The first of these News Letter Updates will be in January 2012.
Safeguarding Office November 2011.