Safeguarding Training Sessions are published on the Training Calendar on our website.
If you wish to book onto one of our sessions you can do so via the training tab on below;
UPDATE JAN 2024 – National Board Review Report
Review of Safeguarding Practice in the Diocese of Down and Connor
The Diocese is publishing the Report of the recent Review of Safeguarding in our Diocese which took place in June 2023.
The publication of the Report marks Safeguarding Sunday 4th February 2024.
Promoting a culture of safeguarding remains a priority for our Church.
The Diocese of Down and Connor is committed to promoting the welfare of all its children and young people and to encouraging their full participation in the life of the Church.
It was important that the voice of victims was heard in this Report.
Could I thank all those Parishes and the Youth Ministry who directly engaged with the Reviewers and our Parish Priests, volunteers and parishioners who continue to service our Parish Safeguarding Committees. The Report highlights your commitment and provides a sound platform from which Parishes can each progress on their journeys and opportunities that Pathways to the Future will bring.
Philip O’Hara
Interim Director for Safeguarding
Update March 2024 – Annual Parish Audit
Thank you to those parishes who have submitted the Audit Return.
The returns made by parishes inform the Bishop’s report to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland on the Diocese’s compliance with the Standards and Guidance.
UPDATE November 2023 – Safeguarding and Pathways to the Future
Safeguarding and Pathways to the Future – A message from Philip O’Hara, Interim Director of Safeguarding
UPDATE Nov- 2023 Training dates for Autumn 2023 & Winter 2024
Training dates are added regularly to the training calendar, so it would be advisable to check the calendar regularly. TRAINING CALENDAR
All spaces on courses are allocated on a first come first serve basis. We therefore advise you to book onto your course of choice as soon as possible.
If you have booked onto a course and for some reason, can no longer attend, please let the Safeguarding Office know, as they manage a reserve list for all training events.
If you would like to book onto any sessions you can do so, by clicking under the relevant link under the BOOKING COURSES PAGE
UPDATE JULY 2023- Launch of the Public Consultation -Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
“A changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence , abuse and harm”.
From October 2022 the Diocese has been a “co-design” partner alongside other stakeholders, statutory and voluntary including the Faith Sector, under the Northern Ireland Executive Office , to put together this Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and Action Plan.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls requires a whole of government and a whole society approach.
Please review the documents and consider responding to the consultation using the EVAWG Consultation – Citizen Space
Strategic Framework – Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Easy Read – Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Action Plan Foundational – Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Philip O Hara
The launch will take place on social media tomorrow, Tuesday 4th July 2023, with two posts from The Executive Office social media @ExecOfficeNI, including:
- The EVAWG consultation launch press release
- An announcement by video from Jayne Brady, Head of NI Civil Service inviting people to engage with the consultation and ‘Tell us what they think’
Update July 2023-PSC Pastoral Community Support Meetings
Thank you to all those who participated in these meetings.
4th April 2023-UPDATE Parish Self Audit Returns
Thank you to all the parishes who have now submitted their Audit Return to the Safeguarding Office