Diocesan Safeguarding Children Conference 2013.

The Annual Kilmore Safeguarding Children Conference took place on Thursday 23^rd May 2013 in the Pastoral Centre, Cavan, Co. Cavan. The purpose of the conference was threefold –

1 – To communicate the church’s safeguarding message.  It is about letting people know that we have safeguarding policies and procedures in place in the diocese.

2 – To introduce and make available to parishes our updated safeguarding children newsletter.  It can be down loaded from www.kilmorediocese.ie also.

3 – To thank the parish and diocesan personnel, over 200 people, who give of their time, energy and talents in safeguarding children and young people while they participate in church activities.

The three speakers at the conference –

Teresa Devlin, Director of Safeguarding, NBSCCC

spoke about –

1) Role of national board which is to     

a) develop policy and procedures.
       b) give advice on best practice.
       c) monitor practice.

2) The seven standards that the NB expect a diocese to have. These are
        a) written policy on keeping children safe.
        b) procedure on of to respond to complaints of abuse.
        c) preventing harm to children.
        d) training & education.
        e) communicating the church’s message.
        f) implementing & monitoring the standards.

Superintendent Pat Burke , Garda Vetting Unit, Thurles

spoke about -The new vetting bill and the implications that this will have on recruiting personnel working with children in our parishes.

Bishop Leo O’Reilly.

Reiterated the importance of high standards of Safeguarding in every parish and thanked all who were working so diligently at parish level and at diocesan level to ensure the safety of all children and vulnerable adults.

Attendance included the parish and diocesan safeguarding children personnel who are –
Clergy, parish safeguarding children reps, chairs and secretaries of PPC’s, recruitment committees, diocesan safeguarding children committee, diocesan pastoral council, pastoral assistants, diocesan advisory panel, care persons, Lourdes pilgrimage leaders, candidates for the permanent diaconate, safeguarding trainers, HSE and the Gardaí.