Safeguarding Personnel/Roles

Director of Safeguarding

The Director of Safeguarding is appointed by the Bishop and reports directly to him. The role of the Director is to oversee all aspects of safeguarding and child protection in Church related activities throughout the Diocese of Killaloe. The Director will also provide professional expertise and support and coordinate the overall development of the service within the diocese.

Support Person

The role of the Support person is to assist anyone making a disclosure/ allegation of abuse.
This may include:

• Enabling the person to liaise with the Designated Liaison Person (DLP).
• Represent their needs during an enquiry/investigation.

The Support Person is appointed by the Bishop and will receive appropriate training.

Adviser

The Adviser is to be available to the person about whom a child protection concern, suspicion, disclosure or allegation has been made. The role of the Adviser is to represent their needs and assist, where appropriate, with communication with the Designated Liaison Person and the Diocese. The Bishop will appoint a panel of Advisors from clergy and lay, who will receive appropriate training and support from the Diocese.

Those who have harmed others are asked to face up to the reality of abuse. While not protected from the law, they should be treated with respect and dignity.

Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

The Role of the Designated Liaison Person is to hear any concerns or disclosures relating to safeguarding and to take responsibility for managing the responses to that concern or disclosure. The role includes;

• Receive information about a child protection concern.
• Report the concern received to the civil authorities (HSE / An Garda Siochana) and to National Office for Safeguarding Children without delay.
• Explain the diocesan referral procedures to the person who has raised the concern.
• Contact emergency or appropriate services where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk of harm.
• Inform the Bishop that a complaint has been made and make a recommendation to the Bishop about any immediate action(s) that may need to be taken.
• Alert the Adviser to be on standby, without identifying the person complained against.
• Make enquiries to identify the present and previous appointments of the person complained against in order to establish whether there are any previous concerns
• Conduct an initial interview with the person complained against as soon as possible, nless the HSE / An Garda Síochána have requested that such an interview is deferred.
• Prepare a written record of the interview that is agreed with the person complained against
• Take the case if required to the Case Management Review Board for advice.
• Follow the advice given by HSE / An Garda Síochána where a child protection concern has been referred to them.
• Maintain a dialogue with the Investigating Officer or Social Worker to monitor the progress of the case and act on any advice given.
• Ask for an update from the HSE / An Garda Síochána about the outcome of their investigations; this request should be made in writing.
• Conduct an internal investigation under Canon Law at the conclusion or in the absence of any external investigation.

Parish Safeguarding Representative

The role of the Parish safeguarding Representative is outlined in Section 7.1 of the Killaloe Policy and Procedures Document.

Diocesan Safeguarding Committee

The responsibilities of the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee are outlined in Section 7.2 of the Killaloe Policy and Procedures Document.

Safeguarding Trainers

The safeguarding awareness programmes are delivered throughout the diocese by a number of trainers appointed by the Bishop. All trainers will have completed an accredited child protection programme. The role of the trainer is outlined in Section 4.3 of the Killaloe Policy and Procedures Document.

National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI or ‘National Board)

The National Board is independent in order to allow it to undertake advisory, audit and inspection functions. The National Board will produce an annual report, which provides data and commentary on the practice of Church organisations regarding the safeguarding of children. In particular, the annual report will contain summaries of the learning gained from reviews and audits carried out during the year to which the annual report relates.

The National Board has three main aims;

• To offer advice on best practice in Safeguarding Children
• To assist in the development of Safeguarding policy, procedures and practice.
• To monitor practice in relation to Safeguarding Children.

Local Tusla Duty Social Worker Contacts

Duty Social worker can be contacted 9am-5pm
Clare Area Tel. +353 65 686 3907
North Tipperary Area Tel. +353 67 466 60
Offaly Area Tel. +353 57 932 2488
Limerick Area: Tel. +353 61 483 091

Outside of these hours in cases of emergency please contact An Garda

An Garda Síochána

Ennis Tel: +353 65 684 8111
Ennistymon Tel: +353 65 707 2180
Kilrush Tel: +353 65 908 0550
Killaloe Tel: +353 61 620 540
Henry St, Limerick Tel: +353 61 212 400
Nenagh Tel: +353 67 50450
Roscrea Tel: +353 505 24230
Thurles Tel: +353 504 25100
Birr Tel: +353 57 916 9710
For further information on local Garda stations – www.garda.ie