Child Safeguarding and Protection Statement for Volunteers
in Relation to Limits of Confidentiality

Confidentiality is very important to us. Anything that is said in this session we regard as strictly confidential and it will not be repeated to anyone outside of this session.

However, we have just two rare exceptions to this rule. If we assessed that a bereaved person was in serious danger of taking their own life or harming the life of another, we are obliged to break confidence to get them the help they need.

The other exception is if a bereaved person revealed the name of a person who sexually abused a child and the abuser was still alive and in danger of abusing other children, we are obliged – for the safety of those other children at risk – to pass on that person’s name to Tusla (Child and Family Agency) or the Diocesan Liaison Officer or the Gardai.

These situations rarely occur but we would like you to know that apart from these exceptions, confidentiality is total.