Child Safeguarding Statement

Introduction and Policy Statement

An integral part of the vision and teaching of the Community of Nazareth (“Community”), its way of life and the covenant commitment of its membership is the value placed on children, both those within the Community and those who visit its events and Ministries from time to time.  The Community recognises the importance of promoting their welfare and ensuring that they are protected from all harm. It is the policy of the Community of Nazareth to establish standards for the welfare of all children partaking in its ministry with a view to protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and to comply fully with all applicable child protection legislation and with the guidance and standards set out in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

Scope

The Community of Nazareth is engaged in the following ministries which constitute the provision of services to children through its regular Nazareth Youth Programme Dublin (“NYPD”) and Youthreach meetings together with associated events and an annual Camp Nazareth residential camp. These ministries are staffed by Youth Leaders who are generally members of the Community of Nazareth. These ministries are open to all child members of the Community of Nazareth and to invited guests.

Risk Assessment

The Community of Nazareth has performed an assessment of the risks to child welfare associated with its children’s ministries. These include risks of harm to children by adults or other children involved in ministries or by the failure to detect, identify or report harm. Policies, procedures and standards for the management of these risks are described in the Community of Nazareth Child Welfare Handbook.

Implementation

The Community of Nazareth recognises that the work of child protection is a continuous effort and that the implementation of our policy and standards is ongoing. The Community of Nazareth will review this Statement and associated Handbook every two years. 

Any Safeguarding concerns should be reported to the following email address:

info@communityofnazareth.org