Parish Safeguarding Committee

What is a Parish Safeguarding Committee ?

It is the responsibility of all members of our Parish community to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our young people and our vulnerable adults. The Down and Connor Diocese have procedures and policies in place to encourage best practice when working with young people and vulnerable adults and it is the role of the Parish Safeguarding Committee to;

• Ensure that all diocesan procedures are in place and are followed.
• Disseminate and explain the Diocesan policies in relation to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults, to those groups working with them under the umbrella of Parish Activity.
• Promote ‘best practice’ in relation to working with young people / vulnerable adults.
• Liaise with the Northern Dioceses Vetting Office regarding all issues in relation to the vetting of parish volunteers

The Parish Safeguarding Committee does not deal directly with concerns in relation to child protection.

Who are the members of The Parish Safeguarding Committee?

The current members of the Parish Safeguarding committee are; Fr Brian Daly, Tess Molloy (Chair), Celia Gormley, Rose Dillon, Bronagh Kelly,  Rosemary Morton (and also Fr Con Boyle, Roisin McBride and Ciaran McCaughan representing Culfeightrin Parish) and  Marie McHenry (Ballintoy Parish).

Should you wish to speak to any of these people or indeed if you would be interested in joining the Parish Safeguarding Committee, you can do so by making an appointment through the Parish Office.

What do you do if you have a concern in relation to a young person or a vulnerable adult?

The Diocese of Down and Connor takes seriously all allegations, suspicions and concerns of child / vulnerable adult abuse made against any member of the clergy, staff or volunteer.

If you have any concerns relating to these issues you may contact any of the following

• PSNIContact no. 101
• Social Services

( Regional out of hours service )    Contact no. 028 95049999

• NSPCC HelplineContact no. 0808 800 5000
• Nexus Institute

(Sexual abuse Counselling NI )     Contact no.028 90326803

• Towards Healing Contact no. 0800 0963315 

• Safeguarding Office Contact no. 028 90492798

120 Cliftonville Road                                             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                       

 Belfast BT14 6LA

• Designated Officers for Safeguarding

Philip O’Hara is the Interim Director and DLP for the Diocese. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

General safeguarding enquires can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• National Board for Safeguarding Children for the Catholic Church in Ireland

CEO Mrs Teresa Devlin                 003531 5053124

                                                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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