United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough
(DGYC)
CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/child-safeguarding/
The Church of Ireland acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of all children sharing in its ministry. We are committed to ensuring that safeguarding reflects statutory responsibilities, government regulation and complies with best practice.
The Church of Ireland pledges to work alongside parents, carers and statutory authorities to value and support children as important members of our church community, to ensure they have a positive and safe experience in church activities.
The Child Safeguarding Policy applies to all church personnel and is recognised in Chapter XVI of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland.
WHOM TO CONTACT TO DISCUSS SAFEGUARDING ISSUES WHICH ARE NOT RELATED TO ABUSE:
DGYC Panel Members:
Ven David Pierpoint: pierpoint.david@gmail.com
Rev Suzanne Harris (contact TBC)
Sally Smith (contact TBC)
WHO TO CONTACT IF YOU HAVE A SUSPICION, CONCERN, KNOWLEDGE OR ALLEGATION OF ABUSE:
RCB Safeguarding Casework Officer: Katie Harrigan, 014125608, safeguarding@rcbcoi.org
IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION OR YOU DO NOT WISH TO CONTACT THE RCB SAFEGUARDING CASEWORK OFFICER YOU CAN CONTACT:
Police contact for allegations that do not relate to members of the Clergy:
Find your local Garda station https://www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/
Police contact for allegations that relate to members of the Clergy:
Find your local Garda station https://www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/
Child Protection Service:
Find your local Tusla contact https://www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices/
For any other safeguarding queries contact safeguarding@rcbcoi.org
TUSLA CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
NAME AND DETAILS OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER:
Dublin and Glendalough Youth Council (DGYC)
United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough,
Church of Ireland House, Rathmines,
Dublin D06 CF67
Ph: (01) 496 6981
This Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice.
DGYC acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.
DGYC is committed to safeguarding children by working under the guidance of the COI Child Safeguarding Policy and its associated guidance. We recognise that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. The bishops, clergy, volunteers and staff are committed to ensuring that all children have a positive and enjoyable experience in a safe and child-centred environment and are protected from abuse whilst participating in activities.
DGYC provides the following activities and services to children under 18 years of age:
Inter-parish youth group days
Youth Church Services/Events, eg Winter Madness
Participating in school assemblies, services, classes and retreats
Assisting with youth groups and church programmes.
RISK ASSESSMENT
All parishes, dioceses and other bodies operating under the COI Child Safeguarding Policy have conducted a written Local Safeguarding Risk Assessment of any potential for harm to a child through their involvement in each church activity. The written risk assessment indicates the areas of potential harm, the likelihood of harm occurring, and lists the required policy, guidance, process and practice required to manage risks. If there are site specific risks that local parishes and diocese need to include in their Child Safeguarding Statement they have done so in conjunction with their relevant person.
In addition to the risk assessments and the above policies and procedures named, the following procedures are in place as part of the COI Child Safeguarding Policy which is available here https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/:
• Procedures for the safe recruitment of volunteers or employees to work with children in our services.
• Procedures for provision of and access to child safeguarding training, including the identification and reporting of harm.
• Procedures for reporting child protection and welfare concerns to Tusla and An Garda Síochána.
• Procedures for maintaining a list of persons in each diocese who are mandated persons.
• Procedure for appointing a relevant person for this Child Safeguarding Statement.
• Procedures for dealing with allegations made against clergy/staff/volunteer/peer.
IMPLEMENTATION
DGYC recognises that implementation is an ongoing process and is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support its intention to keep children safe from harm and the risk of harm. The Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed no later than 23rd June 2028 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.
Signed by the provider of the relevant service:
Emma Fawcett, Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator
dgyc.office@gmail.com
For any queries relating to this statement please contact:
Emma Fawcett, Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator
dgyc.office@gmail.com
Risks Identified
Polices/Procedures in Place
Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child by a member of the clergy/staff/volunteer/peer;
The Church of Ireland has an extensive child safeguarding policy including a code of behaviour and vetting procedures which addresses these risks and are available at https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/child-safeguarding/
Risk of harm (as defined in the CFA 2015) to a child on outings by a member of the clergy/staff/volunteer/stranger/peer
The Church of Ireland child safeguarding policy addresses these risks and is available at https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/roi-child-safeguarding-part-5/#12
Risk of harm of bullying of a child by a member of the clergy/staff/volunteer/peer
The Church of Ireland child safeguarding policy addresses these risks and is available at https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/roi-child-safeguarding-part-4/
Risk of harm (as defined in the CFA 2015) of a child from unauthorised photography;
The Church of Ireland child safeguarding policy addresses these risks and is available https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/roi-child-safeguarding-part-5/#10
Risk of harm (as defined in the CFA 2015) of a child from online abuse through social media or internet access;
The Church of Ireland child safeguarding policy addresses these risks and is available https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/roi-child-safeguarding-part-5/#11
Allegations made against clergy/staff/volunteer/peer
The Church of Ireland child safeguarding policy outlines the procedures for responding to allegations and these are available at https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Child-Safeguarding-Policy-Standard-2.pdf
Data Protection Policy (GDPR)
https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Appendix-E.pdf
