CHILD PROTECTION

Safeguarding Children / Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy

Bethany Bereavement Support Group (BBSG) is a parish based ministry and its members comply with Child Safeguarding policy within parishes in which they minister.

Each person in BBSG volunteering in parish ministry to support the bereaved, has a responsibility for the welfare and safety of children, where they become aware of a child at risk or a vulnerable adult at risk to themselves or others.

While members of BBSG do not deal directly with children they may become aware that a child or children are at risk, from information disclosed in supporting a bereaved person.

All meetings with the bereaved are strictly confidential. However, there are limits to confidentiality where it becomes apparent that there are children at risk or a bereaved person is at risk of physical harm to themselves or others.

With Regard to Services Provided:

• Where one to one contact is required it must take place in a parish centre where parish personnel are present on the premises.
• To comply with Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy relating to children and vulnerable adults, two members must attend visits to a bereaved person's home.

Dealing with the Bereaved:

a) All information provided by or about the bereaved person must be treated as strictly confidential unless clear danger exists for themselves or others e.g. suicide, homicide or of a Child Protection/Vulnerable Adult nature. This must be outlined at the beginning of the meeting.

b) Where matters of Child Protection arise they should be referred to the Designated Reporting Officer of the Diocese, HSE or Garda Siochana and in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Social Services or the PSNI.

Child / Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy:

Members must comply with all policies outlined with regard to Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and undergo training regarding same within their own diocese.

Garda Vetting:

All volunteers must be Garda Vetted through the local parish in which they are providing ministry.

Contact information for reporting Child Abuse / Vulnerable Adult Abuse:

For all diocesan contact details see website of National Board of Catholic Church in Ireland
www.safeguardingchildren.ie

Dublin Diocese: Child Safeguarding and Protection Service (CSPS)
• Designated Person - Mr Andrew Fagan, Director Child Safeguarding and Protection Service, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe College, Dublin 3. Tel 01 8360314

• Parish Safeguarding Representative
• Local HSE Officer
• Local Garda

Other Contact Information:

• HSE National Counselling Service: 1800 235 234
• Tusla Child & Family Agency: (01) 6352843 see www.tusla.ie for local Social Worker contact details
• An Garda Siochana, Garda National Protective Services Bureau (Dublin): (01) 6663430
• Towards Healing Child Protection: 085 8801643 and 1800 303 416
• ISPCC – Childline: 1800 666 666
The following documents are available for download -
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/Publications/ChildrenFirst.pdf

Northern Ireland Contact Information:

• Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI): 0845 600 8000 or Protection Unit (Belfast): 028 9065 0222
• Social Services (Regional Emergency Out of hours): 028 9504 9999
• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
• NEXUS Institute: 028 9032 6803 (info@nexusinstitute.org)
• Towards Healing Free phone (UK): 0800 096 3315 (Please note that some mobile networks may charge for this but landline calls are free of charge)

GUIDELINES FOR BETHANY VOLUNTEERS WHEN AN ADULT SEEKING BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A CHILD

The Bethany Bereavement Support Group, within our own training and competency, offers support through the grieving process to bereaved adults only.
If an adult happens to bring a child along to an appointment or if a child is present in a home visit, we make the adult aware that they are responsible for the child, and must remain in the company of the child at all times during the Bethany support session.
In this particular set of circumstances, our focus will be on the adult and we will assist the adult to support the child in whatever way is possible.
If the adult would like to further engage with Bethany, an appointment for the adult to come alone will be arranged.
If we feel that the child is very upset and would benefit from talking to someone about his/her grief, we will recommend to the adult appropriate services that deal with Childhood Bereavement *
* The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau St Dublin 2. Tel. 01-6793188.
Email: icbn@hospicefoundation.ie

Bethany GEC April 2017