Safeguarding

Statutory Contacts

  • An Garda Síochána: 999 or 112 in an emergency; [local Garda station name and number] for non-emergency matters.
  • Tusla Child Protection and Welfare: [local Tusla duty social work team contact details].
  • PCI Safeguarding Office: +44 (0)28 9041 7290; takingcare@presbyterianireland.org

Safe recruitment and training

Everyone who works with children, young people or adults at risk in the life of our congregation is required to:

  • Complete the church’s recruitment and appointment process.
  • Undertake appropriate Garda vetting where required.
  • Provide references.
  • Attend safeguarding induction and relevant Taking Care and Tusla training.
  • Follow PCI Taking Care guidance and the congregation’s code of conduct.
  • Understand how to recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns.

Activities with children and young people

Our leaders and volunteers aim to provide activities that are safe, inclusive and enjoyable. We will:

  • Obtain relevant parental or guardian consent and emergency contact information.
  • Maintain appropriate supervision and adult-to-child ratios.
  • Ensure activities are planned with safeguarding risks considered and managed.
  • Use appropriate communication and online-safety practices.
  • Ensure leaders are never placed in avoidable one-to-one, unobserved situations with children where this can be prevented.
  • Record and manage accidents, incidents and concerns appropriately.

Parents and guardians are welcome to ask about the arrangements for any activity involving children or young people.

Adults at risk

We are equally committed to promoting the safety, dignity, independence and wellbeing of adults who may be at risk of harm. This includes responding appropriately to concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation, financial harm, coercion or self-neglect, and seeking advice from the relevant statutory or support services where necessary.

Complaints and feedback

If you wish to make a complaint about safeguarding practice, the conduct of a leader or volunteer, or the way a concern has been handled, please contact:

[Name / role]
Telephone: [phone number]
Email: [email address]

Complaints will be taken seriously and handled in line with PCI procedures. Where a complaint raises a possible safeguarding concern, it will also be considered under the safeguarding reporting process.

External groups using church premises

Any external group using our premises for activities involving children, young people or adults at risk must confirm that it has:

  • An appropriate safeguarding policy and Child Safeguarding Statement, where required.
  • Suitable recruitment, vetting and training arrangements.
  • Adequate insurance and supervision arrangements.
  • A named person responsible for safeguarding.
  • Agreement to follow reasonable safeguarding requirements set by the congregation.

Related documents

  • [PCI Taking Care Safeguarding Policy and Procedure — Congregational Template]
  • [PCI Protocol for Managing Safeguarding Concerns]
  • [Congregation Code of Conduct]
  • [Risk Assessment / Assessment of Harm document]
  • [Photography, digital communication and online safety policy]
  • [Complaints procedure]
  • [Data protection / privacy notice]

PCI provides Republic of Ireland-specific safeguarding forms, policies, procedures, guidance and training for congregations.