Holy Faith Sisters – Irish Region               

Statement for Review of Publication

The Holy Faith Sisters welcome the publication of the Review of Safeguarding Practice in the Religious Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Faith undertaken by The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI)

The Holy Faith Sisters are committed to do everything within their power to maintain a high level of child safeguarding in accordance with the NBSCCCI and the statutory authorities.

The Congregation holds the safety of the child as paramount and has developed its policies and procedures to deal with any concerns about the safety and welfare of a child that may arise in the future.

We invite anyone who may have any safeguarding concerns to contact the Designated Liaison Person at the Regional House: Phone 353 1 8572100

 

Safeguarding Children Policy Statement 2018

The Holy Faith Sisters are committed to the Gospel values that cherish and safeguard children, as well as protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm or neglect.

“Let the children come to me; do not stop them.”  [Mt. 19:14]

We endeavour to do this by:     

Circulating our Policy and Procedures to Holy Faith Communities and Ministries where Sisters, Staff and Volunteers work.  Raising awareness of this important area, especially among all those who work directly with children, regarding the values we hold in safeguarding children, advice and training in safe management practices and the importance of familiarising all those who work within Holy Faith communities/ministries with our policy and procedures.

Each Holy Faith Congregation/ministry in the Irish Region:

Recognises that Holy Faith Sisters and all those in Holy Faith ministries have a special duty to provide a safe environment that fosters the dignity of children and young people as children of God and respects their personal integrity and human rights.

Recognises that the welfare of children and young people is of paramount importance and promotes their wellbeing.

Responds in accordance with the Safeguarding Children Standards and Policies to any reported concern, suspicion, disclosure and/or complaint about the safety of children and young people in the context of Holy Faith related ministries/activities.

Conscious of its responsibility to prevent the sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children and their neglect, the Holy Faith Sisters undertake to fully report all concerns, suspicions, allegations, and disclosures (current or historical or anonymous) made to them of such child abuse to the Civil authorities and Church authorities without delay. All suspicions, concerns, disclosures (current or historical or anonymous)  and/or complaints of abuse pertaining to members of the Holy Faith Congregation, staff or volunteers, should be made to the Designated Liaison Person who will work in conjunction with TUSLA and the Gardaí.

Anyone making an allegation of abuse will be received with respect and listened to, will be informed of actions taken as a result of their disclosure and will have their need for counselling met, if required.

Note to parents/guardians/carers: you are welcome and encouraged to provide the Holy Faith Sisters with your views and feedback on the Holy Faith Sisters policies and procedures on keeping children safe.

Please contact 01 857 2100:

Regional Designated Liaison Person: Sr. Barbara Perry 

Regional Deputy Designated Liaison Person: Sr. Rosemary Duffy 

If you have any concerns about Safeguarding within the Holy Faith Sisters – Irish Region, we invite you to come forward to us (01 857 2100), to the NBSCCCI (01 505 3124), An Garda Siochána (01 666 3435)/PSNI (0845 600 8000) or TUSLA/HSE (1850 241 850)

For the procedures to implement the child safeguarding policy, the Holy Faith Sisters – Irish Region follows the guidance of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland available here: www.safeguarding.ie/index.php/guidance

2016 Policy & Standards Summary Leaflet

2018.11.22 Child Safeguarding Statement

2018.11.22 Child Protection and Welfare Report Form 

2018.11.22 Retrospective Abuse Report Form