Child Safeguarding Policy

The parish of Dungiven is fully committed to ensure the care, welfare, and safety of young people and vulnerable adults who participate in parish activities. We will seek to carry out this responsibility in a caring, supportive and safe environment.

We value young people as individuals, with unique gifts and talents, and foster the personal, social and spiritual development of each young person in our care. We do, therefore, dedicate ourselves to protect the young people in our care from the risk of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

We do undertake to put in place policies and procedures through which this care is put into effect so that their rights as active participants in the life of the church are upheld.

We will endeavor to:

  • Adopt Child Safeguarding Guidelines through a Code of Behaviour for parish staff and volunteers as laid down by the Diocese of Derry.
  • Inform parishioners about child safeguarding and good practice.
  • Inform church workers and volunteers about current best practice and required procedures.
  • Follow carefully the recommended procedures for the recruitment and employment of staff and volunteers.
  • Provide child safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers and update when necessary.

Our policy and practice will be updated at regular intervals. The next proposed review date is April 2013.

The parish child safeguarding representatives are:

Mr Colm Brolly, Tel: 028 777 42570 : Gortnaghey Area
Mrs Mary McCloskey, Tel: 028 777 41768 : Dungiven Area
Mrs Alice McNicholl,  Tel: 028 777 40007 : Drumsurn Area

Derry Diocesan Child Safeguarding Officer
Mrs Mary McCafferty, Diocesan Pastoral Care, 164 Bishop St., Derry.
Tel: 02871 362475

Other useful contact numbers:

Childline NI: 02890 327773 or freephone 0800 1111
NSPCC: 0808 800500
Child Safeguarding Helpline (24 hour service): 02871 266111