This special edition covers the following features: Update on the implementation of the NBSCCCI  7 standards (Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016). Developments in Training Training Strategy 3-Year Strategic Safeguarding Plan Rebranding of Safeguarding Materials New Parish Self-Audit Tool Update on the work of the Interfaith …

Down and Connor Safeguarding Office Advisory Panel Terms of reference   History and background The Catholic Church in Ireland realised that there was a need to improve the handling of concerns and complaints of the abuse of children by clergy. Procedures and protocols were introduced and they have continued to …

The Diocese of Down and Connor has recently issued a revised Licence for the Use of Parish Premises by External Groups. The revised Licence and an accompanying letter of explanation has been forwarded to each Parish Priest, copies should also have been forwarded to Parish Safeguarding Committee Chairs (If you …

JOINT VICARIATE MEETINGS – PARISH SAFEGUARDING COMMITTEE THANK YOU to all those who were able to attend the seven Joint Vicariate meetings arranged during March. These were important meetings as they provided an opportunity to hear what is happening in the area of safeguarding and also in terms of practice …

Down and Connor Diocesan Working Group on the NBSCCCI Seven Standards In March 2016, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland launched their revised Safeguarding Policy and Standards Document.( www.safeguarding.ie) This was a replacement for the original standards document launched back in 2008. These new …

Joint Vicariate Meetings Please be advised that the Joint Vicariate meetings arranged for February are being postponed until March.   The new dates are as follows:  Vicariate  Date  Venue  Time Holy Rosary & Holy Family Monday 13th March Sacred Heart Parish Centre  7.00pm  Upper & Lower Falls    Wednesday  15th …

Safe Church Training Empowering Churches to Safeguard Children and Adults Thanks to funding from East Belfast DPCSP, we would like to invite you to attend the following Safe Church training: Session 1:  Wednesday 8th February 2017, 7.00pm-9.00pm, St. Colmcilles Presbytery, 191a Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB Session 2:  Wednesday …

SBNI Information Leaflet on Safe Practice in the Use of Social Media We are pleased to share with you the most recent guidance produced by the Inter Faith Sub Group of the Safeguarding Board for N.I. Information leaflet on the topic of safe practice in the use of social media …

Safe Church Training Empowering Churches to Safeguard Children and Adults Thanks to PCSP funding, we would like to invite you to attend the following Safe Church training: Session 1: Thursday 12th January 2017, 7.00pm-9.00pm, Hopelink Centre, 2-4 Henry Place, Belfast, BT15 2BB Session 2: Wednesday 18th January 2017, 7.00pm-9.00pm, Sacred …

Parish Audit Newsheet   Thank you to all Parishes who took part in the Independent Review of the Parish Self Audit This Review was undertaken in three stages. The first stage was a Pilot of two Parishes, one urban and one rural Parish. The second stage was an expansion of …