POLICIES

The parish of St MacCullin's, Lusk, is committed to the highest standards of practise when working with or being in contact with children or young persons. The parish is committed to ensuring that all people using St MacCullin's church shall comply with the practice of behaviours laid out in this document for the protection of children.   

Compliance with this parish behaviour policy for the protection of children in the church is mandatory. 

Policy of behaviour practise
Let the teaching and practice of Jesus Christ be our guide in working with children and young people in our parish.

It shall be the responsibility of all adults/volunteer workers, using this church to comply with the following:

• being alone with a child or young person is not appropriate practice. Should circumstances arise where this is unavoidable: 

  • immediately inform another responsible adult, by telephone if necessary; 

  • make a diary note, that the meeting with the young person took place, including the reasons for it  (diary located in the sacristy).

• Children and young people are not permitted to work or remain in this church unless there are at least two adults present.

• All children and young people will be treated with equal respect; favouritism is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

• Bullying in the form of verbal, psychological or physical behaviour is not acceptable and shall not be tolerated. 

• Do not spend a disproportionate amount of time with any particular child or group of children

• Under no circumstances give alcohol, tobacco or drugs to children or young people.

• Do not use alcohol, tobacco or drugs when supervising or working with children and young people.

• Use only age-appropriate language, media products and activities when working or in contact with children and young people. Sexually explicit or pornographic material is never appropriate and is not acceptable behaviour.

• Do not engage in inappropriate physical contact of any kind – including rough physical play, physical reprimand and horseplay (tickling, wrestling, etc).

• Do not take photographs of children or young people while they are in changing areas (for example, in a locker room).

• Workers and volunteers should not undertake any car or minibus journey alone with a child or young person. If in certain circumstances only one adult is available, there should be:

  • minimum of two children or young people present for the entire journey. 

• In the event of an emergency where it is necessary to make a journey alone with a child, make a record of this and inform the child’s parents or guardians as soon as possible (also see 1 above).

• Be cognisant of the imbalance in power inherent in adult-child relationships.