Barbara McDermott

Barbara is the Director for Safeguarding for the Diocese, acting in a line management capacity for the office staff as well as undertaking the duties of the Diocesan Designated Officer whose role is to receive and manage all allegations of abuse.Barbara was formally a Principal Social Worker in the statutory sector.  She has 25 years experience in the field of Child Protection and has worked as a member of a multi- disciplinary team in reviewing child deaths as a result of child abuse.  In the Diocese her role is to develop and oversee the implementation of safeguarding practices for the Diocese and to liaise with the statutory agencies in relation to the management of cases and the development of best practice.

Jim Tracey

Jim Tracey is a professionally qualified social worker with 25 years experience commencing his career in residential child care and after care social work. Jim worked as Learning and Development Consultant in child protection with Barnardos for 9 years and more recently with the NSPCC National Training Centre as Senior Training and Development Consultant for 3 years. This work included the provision of external consultancy and training to a broad range of agencies and organisations and the production of national and local statutory child protection training resources.  Jim works part-time for the Safeguarding Office; is responsible for developing safeguarding policy and practice and providing advice, support and guidance for clergy and Child Care Committee members. 

Imelda Henry

Imelda Henry is a recently retired statutory Child Protection Training Officer of 27  years experience (12 of which involved multi-agency child protection training). Imelda’s background is in health and education, lecturing in Further Education Colleges and as a visiting University lecturer.  Imelda works part time for the Safeguarding Office; is responsible for the training and support needs of a range of groups and individuals across the diocese and providing advice and guidance on matters of safeguarding practice within parishes. 

Andy Thomson

Andy is a retired senior Civil service officer with experience in the field of managing and sharing of information. He was a founding member of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults vetting system for Northern Ireland and subsequently General Manager of the National Vetting Agency Access NI.  Given his skills and background his role is to manage the vetting and barring arrangements for the six Northern Dioceses and he is accountable to the Northern Bishops.  He works closely with and on behalf of the Diocesan Representatives from the other five Northern Dioceses. Andy also acts as a Designated Officer with Barbara.  He is currently involved in establishing protocols with Public Protection Arrangements for N.I. (PPANI) for offenders wishing to return to faith. 

Other Team Members: 

Maureen Clarke

Maureen provides the administrative support for the Down and Connor Safeguarding Office.  She is a retired civil service worker.

Mary Foy

Mary provides the administrative support for the Catholic Church Northern Diocese Vetting Office

Natalie Gallagher

Natalie provides the administrative support for the Catholic Church Northern Diocese Vetting Office and the Safeguarding Office. 

Support Persons

In line with the National Safeguarding Children Board for the Catholic Church in Ireland standards, the diocese provides an additional service to those individuals who make allegations of child abuse by offering access to a Support Person. The role of the Support Person is to assist and advise the individual of the process as any enquiry progresses. The Support Person  also may assist the individual to make contact with their GP (if they are agreeable) and to access appropriate community services. Currently the dioceses has two Support People:

Imelda Henry

Recently retired statutory Child Protection Training Officer of 27 years experience (12 of which involved multi-agency child protection training). Imeldas’ background is in health and education, lecturing in Further Education Colleges and as a visiting University lecturer.

Sonia Hand

Retired approved Mental Health Social Worker with approximately 25 years experience.  She is also a qualified counsellor.