The Parish of Cooleragh and Staplestown values and encourages the participation of children and young people in parish liturgies and activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, social and intellectual development, and will work in a partnership way with parents at all times.

The Gospel of Christ invites us to cherish and affirm each child as a gift from God with an inherent right to dignity of life and bodily integrity which shall be respected, nurtured and protected by all. Everyone in the Church has an obligation to ensure that the fundamental rights of children are respected.

In keeping with this we in this parish undertake to do all in our power to create safe environments where the welfare of children and young people is paramount.

This duty of care extends to all the many and varied ways that children share in the life of the Church in our parish and diocese.

Partnership with Civil Authorities
Our Parish is committed to working in partnership with the civil authorities to ensure that all aspects of child welfare are managed promptly, professionally and justly. We will adhere to statutory policy, notably ‘Children First’: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011), and the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook (2011). All Child Safeguarding concerns shall be reported to the civil authorities without delay.

Procedures

The Parish is committed to following best practice as specified by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC). Our diocesan child protection policy and procedures are set out in our publication on the Kandle website: https://www.kandle.ie/safeguarding.

As required of all church personnel in this diocese, we will adhere to the latest edition of Kildare & Leighlin Diocese: Safeguarding Children Policy & Procedures.