Our Lady of the Missions Safeguarding Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults
We, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, recognise the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults towards whom we have a special responsibility and duty of care. We undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from any form of neglect or abuse, be it physical, sexual, psychological or emotional, spiritual, discriminatory, institutional, financial or material. We will liaise closely with church and statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are promptly dealt with, alleged victims supported and alleged perpetrators reported to the appropriate statutory services.
There is a Child Protection team in the province with a Sister responsible for each country. The named Sister attends meetings organised by the Safeguarding Commissions in their respective countries.
They keep each other up-to-date with legislation and inform the Sisters of any changes. Each year the Safeguarding Representative completes the CSAS Annual Report Return and it is also signed by the Provincial Leader.
In England we are now working with the R.C. Southwark Diocesan Safeguarding Commission in conjunction with CSAS.
In Scotland we work with the Conference of Religious in Scotland (CRS) which has an established Safeguarding Commission (CRSSC) – that works in close communication with the Bishops’ Conference to ensure independent scrutiny, to support and assist the Congregational Leaders / Link Coordinators to oversee and manage the process around current safeguarding issues.
In the Republic of Ireland as well as the North of Ireland we work with The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. Ireland is registered through CORI (Conference of Religious Ireland). In 2016 CORI and IMU (Irish Missionary Union) amalgamated to form AMRI (Association of Missionary Religious of Ireland) We are registered through AMRI and the National Board
Below are the safeguarding policies from 2007 up to 2016 including policy on Bullying
- Safeguarding children policy and standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016
- REPORT: Review of Safeguarding Practice In the Religious Congregation of Notre Dames des Missions (Our Lady of the Missions) undertaken by The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI)
- Update Safeguarding Policy in UK 2019
- Safeguarding Policy in UK 2015
- Update Child Protection Policy 2013
- Update Child Protection Policy 2012
- Update Child Protection Policy 2010
- Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy
Self Audit requested by The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church has been completed by The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions on 20th of March 2018. The five Convents audited were Churchtown, Wexford, Longford, Dundalk and Lucan. The results of the audit were sent to the National Board on 22nd of March 2018.
The Provincial Leader co-ordinates the safeguarding group.
Our Safeguarding Representatives are
England:
Kate Burke
Email: cburkefailte@hotmail.com
Scotland:
Sr. Mary Frances Collett
Email: mcollett4@gmail.com
SCSS (Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service) www.scsafeguarding.org.uk
Ireland:
Sr. Helen O’Riordan
Email: hforiordan@eircom.net