Plans to constitute the Board as a company Limited by Guarantee are underway, and it is hoped that this process will be complete early in 2009. The Board has three main aims

• To offer advice on best practice in Safeguarding Children

• To assist in the development Safeguarding policy, procedures and practice

• To monitor practice in relation to Safeguarding Children.

Once constituted, the Board will be in a unique position in terms of offering independent advice and monitoring of Church practice in the area of safeguarding children. It is a not for profit organisation and is funded through the Sponsoring bodies – The Conference of Irish Bishops, the Conference of Religious of Ireland and The Irish Missionary Union.

The Board is seeking to establish a memorandum of understanding with all Church bodies, to enable the unfettered delivery of its functions. Current Membership of the Board includes:

• Chairperson: John Morgan - Has had a career in business primarily as a Corporate Lawyer. Has served as chairperson of the Bishop’s Committee on Child Protection from 2002-2006

 

• Members:
• Brian Matthews - A solicitor with many years experience in child protection policy development and implementation. Served for ten years as member of the Child Protection Task Force of the Conference of Religious of Ireland.


• Father Paul McCafferty - A priest of the Diocese of Derry. A Canon Lawyer, he holds an STB Degree in Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome and a Licence (Post-Graduate) degree in Canon Law from the Angelicum University, Rome.


• Sister Martina Barrett - A psychotherapist and family therapist with many years experience of working with survivors of abuse. Has undertaken specialised training for work with communities affected by sexual abuse. Currently a member of the leadership team of the sisters of Mercy, Western Province


• Michael Ringrose - Is Chief Executive PWDI (People with Disabilities in Ireland), the National Representative Organisation of all people with disabilities, their parents, carers, families and advocates. Prior to that he served as a Chief Superintendent with an Garda Siochana.


• Martina Duggan - Has extensive front-line experience in crisis intervention and in assisting the most marginalised in society. Currently involved in support group work and after care-service in the areas of substance and alcohol misuse. Joined the Board in 2008


• Marie Kennedy - Has a background in social work and has extensive experience in child protection and welfare , with a post graduate diploma in child protection and an MSc in Health Services Management. Through a range of important assignments provides significant and extensive experience in all aspects of child care management, Joined the Board in 2008


• Dr. Kathleen Ganter - A Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with extensive experience of treating children and adolescents who have suffered abuse.  Currently involved in mental health tribunal work for the Mental Health Commission.  Chair of the European Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.


• Dr. Keith Holmes - A Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.  Currently Chairperson of the Medical Board in Lucena Clinic in Dublin and Chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the College of Psychiatry of Ireland.  He also represents the faculty on the Medical / Legal / Human Rights / Ethics Committee within the College of Psychiatry of Ireland.


• Professor David Smith - A member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Congregation.  Associate Professor in Healthcare Ethics in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with an extensive international career in Academic Research and Consultancy work in Healthcare Systems, Ethics and Bioethics.  Chairperson of the Task Force on Child Abuse of C.O.R.I. ( 2004)

The Board meets monthly and issues guidance and advice as appropriate. The Board develops annual objectives and produces a report each year on its work, and that of the National Office.

The Office for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland is based at New House in Maynooth. The first Chief Executive Ian Elliott was appointed in 2007, he is accountable to the Board.

National Office Staff includes:

• Ian Elliott - CEO - A graduate of Trinity College and the University of Ulster, with a Master of Business Administration from the Open University Business School. He was appointed director of NSPCC in June 2001, which involved responsibility for leading services, influencing and campaigning for child protection policies within Northern Ireland. In September 2005 he was seconded to the DHSSPS (Department of Health, Social Services and Public Services) to the role of lead child protection advisor. This role was further expanded by the Minister to design and implement a major reform programme for child protection services within the region. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland in July 2007.
  

• Ann Doyle – Administrator

• Sr Colette Stevenson – Director of Professional Standards - Sr Colette is a Presentation Sister. She has been involved in child protection work within the Church since 1995, when she became Director of the C.O.R.I child protection office. Previously she worked as a teacher and later in retreat work. She is a qualified marriage and family therapist.
  

• Teresa Devlin – Director of Safeguarding - With a background in social science, social studies and psychology, and with an advanced diploma in child protection. She has extensive experience in child protection management and family support, both at the levels of senior management and in the specific areas of risk assessment and care planning. Before recently joining the National Office she served for four years as Head of Research Policy and Service Review at the office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY)