THE PARISH OF MAGH ENE  CHILD PROTECTION GUIDELINES    St. Joseph’s. The Rock, Ballyshannon Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bundoran   The Parish values Children, Young People and vulnerable Adults and welcomes their active participation in the life of the Parish.   It is committed to ensuring that their safety and well being is upheld.   Above all the Parish community recognises the need to protect them in a way that promotes their human dignity, integrity and worth as members of God’s Family.   The Parish recognises that all involved in working with children and young people have a special duty of care towards them and has put appropriate procedures in place.   A child or young person is defined as any person under the age of eighteen years excluding a person who is or has been married.  This also includes vulnerable adults.   Good Practice Procedures   Checklist   -    The Parish Requires   1.   An adequate ratio of leaders to young people ie. 1 Adult to 8 Young people, or part of 8.   2.   Two adults always present (leaders should not work alone with young people)   3.   That a group is never accompanied off the premises by less than two adults.   4.   A duty roster of leaders to ensure adequate supervision.   5.   A code of conduct generally displayed and agreed to in writing by parents/guardians and young people.   6.   Signed parental/guardian consent forms.   7.   Parental/guardian contact numbers.   8.   Roll book for participating young people and leaders.   9.   Incident/accident record book.   10. Proper procedures for the recruitment, selection and overseeing of paid and volunteer staff.   11. A clearly communicated accident and emergency plan.   12. For all away trips a pre-check on all accommodation and transport arrangements.   13. Information session to be held when the code of conduct is explained.   14. Such updated information sessions to be held every two years.   15. Assigned designated person to whom immediate concerns regarding abuse and/or complaints can be brought.   16. That such designated persons will respond promptly to all concerns and liaise with the required Civil and Church authorities.   17. All complaints and/or concerns will be followed through in a timely and efficient manner.   Code of Conduct for ·         Young People ·         Vulnerable Adults ·         Leaders   1.   Courtesy, respect and dignity will be extended to all.   2.   Consumption of alcohol, smoking, or taking of drugs, will not be permitted while participating in church-related activities.   3.   There will be an adequate ratio of leaders at all times ie. 1 to 8.  Always have 2 adults present as leaders should not work on their own.  In emergencies where the desired ratio cannot be provided, the procedure adopted should be recorded and dated.   4.   Care will be taken to ensure that when working with mixed gender groups, staff and adult volunteers of appropriate gender will work in pairs.   5.   Leaders (18+) will not consume alcohol, smoke, even in the presence of, young people and vulnerable adults.   6.   Inappropriate language or sexually suggestive comments will not be permitted.   7.   Inappropriate use of videos, cameras, and camera phones will not be permitted.   8.   Physical contact will be of an appropriate nature at all times.  Leaders will not engage in rough play or undertake any task of a personal nature except in cases of medical necessity.   9.   Will not engage in or tolerate any behaviour – verbal, psychological or physical that could be construed as bullying.   10. Leaders will always engage in an open manner and care will be taken not to show favouritism.   11. This Code of Conduct will equally apply for all.   Child Protection   The Parish of Magh Ene Pastoral Office 071 9841290   St. Joseph’s, The Rock, Ballyshannon  Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bundoran   The Parish Community recognises the need to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults in a way that promotes their human dignity, integrity and worth as members of God’s Family.   If you have any concerns that a child, young person or a vulnerable adult is being or has been abused, please contact one of the following:   Parish Child Protection Persons:        H.S.E.    Duty Social Worker: (087) 2848595 Gerard Breslin             - Bundoran           Gardai   Local Garda Station:  Bundoran:  071 98 41203   Valentine O Kelly         - Bundoran                                                             Ballyshannon:   071 9851102 Geraldine Loughlin      - Ballyshannon     Diocesan Delegate    Fr. Michael McGourty John McCadden          - Ballyshannon                                          Irvinstown  Tel: 048 686 28600.    Downloadable Child Protection Document here