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LATEST UPDATES TO GUIDANCE

5th October 2023

Appendix D- page 6- added postal address of Gardai National Protective Services Bureau.

Standard 1 - pages 4 and 8- updated page numbers following amendements to guidance.

Standard 1- pages 114- updated guidance with new title for guidance 1.9B

Standard 1- pages 117- guidance expanded and updated.

Standard 1- page 128- guidance updated.

Standard 2- page 11- added new reporting form.

Standard 2- pages 2,3 and 6- updated page numbers following new guidance.

30th May 2023

Standard 2- page 7- updated VELM reference

Standard 2- page 23- updated VELM reference

Standard 2- pages 28, 30 and 31- updated guidance following publication of VELM 2023.

29th May 2023

Standard 1 pages 3, 4 and 8- updated page numbers following amended whistleblowing guidance.

Standard 1 pages 100-106- updated whistleblowing guidance following new legislation in ROI.

Appendix C- page 7- added in reference to new legislation in ROI.

26th May 2023

Appendix D Page 6-added contact details for Garda DPSUs

23rd February 2023

Standard 1pages 3 and 85- updated guidance on use of Church property for once off private events.

Standard 2 page 43- Updated guidance on reporting allegations against deceased respondents.

12th December 2022

Standard 6 page 23- updated guidance for child safeguarding statements in relation to boarding schools, following advice from Department of Education.

11th November 2022

Standard 1 page 97- updated name of insurance in guidance.

11th Oct 2022

Standard 2 pages 2-3-updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 2 page 5- changed CDF to DDF.

Standard 2 page 6- updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 2 page 7- changed reference in flowchart from CDF to DDF.

Standard 2 page 14- changed CDF to DDF.

Standard 2 page 18- changed CDF to DDF.

Standard 2 page 20- updated guidance.

Standard 2 pages 23-26- updated references to new guidance.

Standard 2 pages 27-35- added in new guidance on allegations against Bishops and equivalents.

Standard 2 page 55- changed CDF to DDF.

Standard 2 pages 56-62- added in new guidance on actions and omissions against Bishops and equivalents.

Standard 2 page 67- changed CDF to DDF.

10th Oct 2022

Standard 1 page 3 and 4- Updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 1 pages 7 and 8- Updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 1 pages 88-95- New guidance on Associations of the Faithful.

16th Dec 2021

Standard 6 pages 23-27- Updated Tulsa Child Safeguarding Template.

Standard 2 pages 20-21- Updated guidance. 

29th Sept 2021

Standard 1 pages 4 and 8- updated page numbers following changes to guidance 1.8A.

Standard 1 pages 106-109- updated hazard assessment guidance.

Standard 1 pages 118- changed wording relating to storage requirements for CCTV images.

31st May 2021

Standard 2 pages 2 and 3- updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 2 pages 26-33- new guidance on allegations against Bishops and their equivalents.

Standard 2 pages 54-60- new guidance on acts or omissions.

Standard 2 page 61- new guidance on the internal forum.

Standard 2 page 18- updated guidance following new notification letter for CDF.

Standard 2 page 14- new notification letter for CDF.

Standard 2 page 7- updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 2 page 10- updated wording with new template. 

26th May 2021

Standard 1 pages106-108- updated guidance on risk/hazard assessments.

Standard 6 page 25- change in wording on child safeguarding statement.

3rd December 2020

Standard 4 page 3- updated page numbers following new guidance.
Standard 4 page 7- added in definition of CDF.
Standard 4 page 8- updated page numbers following new guidance and added in reference to new template.
Standard 4 page 12- updated flowchart with requirement to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 page 15- added in need to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 page 28- added in need to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 page 29- added in need to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 page 31- added in need to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 page 33- added in need to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 page 35- added in need to inform CDF for clerics.
Standard 4 pages 51-55-added in guidance on penal process.
Standard 4 pages 56-57-added in new template form for CDF.


26th November 2020
Appendix D page 3- updated contact details for Tusla office Dublin South Central.

17th November 2020
Standard 2 pages 2,3 and 6- updated page numbers following new guidance.
Standard 2 page 5- added in definition of CDF in line with Vademecum.
Standard 2 pages 7 and 9- new flowchart and wording in line with Vademecum.
Standard 2 page 17- added in reference to informing the CDF in line with Vademecum.
Standard 2 pages 51 and 52- new guidance added on reporting allegations against Irish clerics and religious in different jurisdictions.

16th November 2020
Standard 1 page 129- clarified wording in line with vademecum. 

11th August 2020
Standard 1 Page 98- amended whistle blowing guidance.

7th July 2020
Standard 1- page 22 clarified language in relation to vetting.

2nd March 2020
Standard 7 - pages 46-78 clarified language throughout.

17th February 2020
Standard 2- pages 2,3,6 updated page numbers following introduction of new guidance.
Standard 2- pages 25-32 new guidance following vos estis lux mundi
Standard 2- pages 41-44 new guidance following vos estis lux mundi

14th February 2020
Standard 5- page 20 updated training returns form in line with new training manual.

Standard 7- pages 50,61,64 and 67 clarification around publication of reviews.
Standard 7- page 51 clarified language in bullet point viii.

6th december 2019
Standard 6- page 27 clarified wording of localised risk section of Tusla Child Safeguarding Statement.

30th November 2019
Standard 1- Pages 2-4 updated page numbers due to new guidance
Standard 1- Pages 7-8 added in additional record requirement for new guidance
Standard 1- Page 52 new guidance on known respondents seeking to worship
Standard 1- page 94- Updated with final Probation Service guidance

25th November 2019
Standard 7- page 29 removed sentence which was not applicable for category 3 Church bodies.
Standard 7- pages 9,10,16, 18,19, 22-24 added in word congregation at the request of religious Church personnel.

21st November 2019
Standard 6- page 10 clarified wording in relation to public posters.
Standard 6- page 26 added in additional risk at the request of Tusla.

16th October 2019
Standard 5- page 13 reworded who needs trained, for clarity.

27th September 2019
Appendix C- pages 3 and 7 removed reference to canon law following introduction of new section.
Appendix C- page 8 added new canon law definitions from Vos estis lux mundi.

Standard 1 pages 3-4- updated page numbers following new guidance.
Standard 1 pages 7-8- added in reference to Use of Church property as a community service site (ROI Only) and updated page numbers.
Standard 1 page 51- added in reference to Lourdes pilgrimage.
Standard 1 pages 92-95- added new guidance on use of Church property as a community service site (ROI Only).

26th September 2019
Standard 3- page 8 added in reference to Towards Peace.

Standard 4- pages 11-13 added reference to Church authorities defined in Vos estis lux  mundi.
Standard 4- page 14 added reference to Church authorities defined in Vos estis lux  mundi.
Standard 4- pages 29-30 added reference to Church authorities defined in vos estis lux  mundi.
Standard 4- page 31 amended template for canon law references to be included.
Standard 4- page 32 added reference to Church authorities defined in Vos estis lux  mundi.
Standard 4- page 34-35 added reference to Church authorities defined in Vos estis lux  mundi.
Standard 4- page 41 added reference to Church authorities defined in Vos estis lux  mundi.
Standard 4- page 42 guidance amended to reference Appendix C.
Standard 4- page 44 amended template for canon law references to be included.
Standard 4- pages 51-52 amended template for canon law references to be included.

Standard 5- pages 5 and 2 updated page numbers following redrafted guidance.
Standard 5- pages 12-15 updated guidance on basic awareness training.

Standard 6- pages 23-27 updated Tusla Child Safeguarding Statement on advice from Tusla.

Standard 7- pages 28 and 29 added CEO name to templates.

25th September 2019
Standard 2- pages 2,3 and 6 updated page numbers following new guidance.
Standard 2- page 7 reworded following Vos estis lux mundi.
Standard 2- pages 8 and 9 added in new email address for Gardai.
Standard 2- page 10 added in links to new guidance.
Standard 2- page 11 changed the word 'can' to 'must' to ensure anonymisation.
Standard 2- pages 21-24 complaints process redrafted following Vos estis lux mundi.
Standard 2- page 25 removed old guidance and left space for new guidance following vos estis lux mundi.
Standard 2- page 33 updated with new gardai email address.
Standard 2- page 34 left space for new guidance following Vos estis lux mundi.
Standard 2- pages 35-39 new guidance on allegations relating to child pornography.
Standard 2- pages 40-41 new guidance on protection for persons reporting abuse.
Standard 2- page 52 new guidance for complainants wishing to access their records.
Standard 2- page 53 new guidance for respondents wishing to access their records.
Standard 2- pages 54-59 updated guidance on information sharing following GDPR.

Appendix B- pages 2-6 redrafted following GDPR.


7th December 2018
Standard 7- pages 10,16,19,22,24,27 added in questions on mandated persons, lay apostolates and CCTV and webcams to self audits
Standard 7- pages 46-79 added in review methodology

Standard 1- page 20 updated reference to new data protection legislation
Standard 1- page 21 updated reference to Vetting Acts
Standard 1- page 51 added in reference to Appendix C
Standard 1- page 92 and 93 added in new information on employees and whistleblowing
Standard 1- page 100 added in reference to GAP paper 1

Standard 2- page 2 renamed guidance 2.1M.
Standard 2- page 6 flowchart updated and legislation updated.
Standard 2- pages 6-9 updated references to relevant DLP.
Standard 2- pages 10 added date sent to NBSCCCI on referral form template.
Standard 2- pages 13-17 added in reference to guidance 2.1A.
Standard 2- pages 23-25 added in reference to guidance 2.1A.
Standard 2- pages 31 and 32 added in reference to guidance 2.1A.
Standard 2- page 33 guidance updated following advice from Tusla.
Standard 2- page 36 guidance changed to include need for one summary sheet per complainant.

18th October 2018

Standard 2- pages 10,11,12 updated in line with GDPR requirements
Standard 2- pages 6 reworded for clarification
Standard 2- pages 18 reworded for clarification

1st October 2018
Standard 1 pages 3 and 4- updated page numbers following new guidance.
Standard 1 page 8- added reference to lay apostolates.
Standard 1 pages 70-74-updated JPII forms to latest versions.
Standard 1 pages 86-91- added new guidance on lay apostolates.
Standard 1 pages 106-117-added new guidance on international child safeguarding policy.

Standard 2 pages 10,11,12- updated child protection referral form following GDPR changes.

Standard 3 page 22- corrected errors.

Standard 4 page 3-updated page numbers.
Standard 4 page 7-updated page numbers for new guidance.
Standard 4 page 9- added in reference to venues.
Standard 4 page 44- updated canon law references.
Standard 4 page 49-updated.
Standard 4 page 50- added in reference to precepts.
Standard 4 pages 51 and 52- added in new template precepts.

Standard 5- Page 15 added in process for re registration of trainers.

Standard 7- page 2-page numbers updated
Standard 7- page 5 added in reference to serious incident review records.
Standard 7- page 39 guidance on crisis management.
Standard 7- page 43 guidance on serious incident reviews. 

27th June 2018
Standard 4 pages 21 and 22- added additional considerations to leave from ministry guidance.
Standard 4 page 49- clarified roles of Tusla social workers in hospitals.

26th June 2018
Standard 1- pages 2-4- updated page numbers following new guidance 1.3D.
Standard 1- pages 7 and 8- updated page numbers following new guidance 1.3D.
Standard 1- page 11- clarified requirements for volunteers signing declaration form.
Standard 1- page 27- updated in line with information from NVB.
Standard 1- pages 57-59- new guidance 1.3D on boundary violations.
Standard 1- page 79- updated requirements for external groups.
Standard 1- pages 100-101- clarified requirements for photographers.

12th April 2018
Standard 2- page 11- clarified 'details of concern' section of referral form.

20th February 2018
Standard 4- pages 2 and 3- page numbers updated.
Standard 4- pages 7 and 8- page numbers updated.
Standard 4- page 9- advice on character references and advisor added.
Standard 4- page 11- added in reference to collecting the proofs in flow chart.
Standard 4- page 12- corrected canon law references and added reference to new decree templates.
Standard 4- page 14- changed reference to referral forms following changes to guidance in Standard 2.
Standard 4- page 25- added in new information on support for parishes.
Standard 4- page 26- added in guidance 4.2E on support for family of respondents.
Standard 4- page 27- added in guidance 4.2F on Church process for allegations against deceased clerics/religious.
Standard 4- page 29- added in reference to new template decrees. 
Standard 4- page 31- added new decree template 4.3A Template 1.
Standard 4- page 32- added in reference to new template decrees.
Standard 4- page 33- added new decree template 4.3B Template 1.
Standard 4- page 34- added in reference to new template decrees.
Standard 4- page 40- added new decree template 4.3C Template 2.
Standard 4- page 42- added in reference to new template decrees.
Standard 4- page 44- added new decree template 4.3D Template 1.
Standard 4- page 45- added new decree template 4.3D Template 2.
Standard 4- page 46- added new decree template 4.3D Template 3.

16th February 2018

Standard 1- page 47- clarified documents needed for visiting clerics/religious or lay ecclesial ministers.
Appendix A- pages 6-7- added in guidance on conflict of roles.

12th February 2018
Appendix D- pages 3-5- contact numbers for Tusla offices updated following changes in Tusla operations.

Glossary- Pages 3-5- added in definitions for mandated person, relevant person and collecting the proofs.

5th February 2018
Standard 1 page 28- updated storage of vetting records advice in ROI.
Standard 2 pages 2 and 5- updated page numbers and added in addional records for Tusla forms and list of mandated persons.
Standard 2 page 7- clarified new reporting procedures in ROI and links to Tusla forms.
Standard 2 page 9- added in reference to guidance 2.1M.
Standard 2 page 32- clarified information in relation to retaining list of mandated persons.
Standard 2 page 33- added in new guidance on allegations in relation to deceased clerics/religious.
Standard 2 page 34- updated with correct information in relation to forms following changes in ROI.
Standard 2 page 36- updated title of section 4 to reflect changes in forms following changes in ROI, and updated title of section 6 to make it clear where precepts etc are stored in the case file.
Standard 2 page 37- updated section 8 to make it clear where case management advice is stored.

2nd February 2018
Standard 6 page 2-updated page numbers.
Standard 6 page 4- updated page numbers.
Standard 6 page 23- clarified requirements for appointing a Relevant Person.
Standard 6 page 26- added risks to Child Safeguarding Template.
Standard 6 page 27- expanded procedures section and included space for details of Relevant Person.

29th January 2018
Standard 6 pages 2- updated page numbers following introduction of new guidance 6.2D
Standard 6 page 4- updated requirements to keep copy of Child Safeguarding Statement.
Standard 6 page 23- added new guidance on Child Safeguarding Statement
Standard 6 page 24- added new template for Child Safeguarding Statement

11th January 2018
Standard 5 page 18- updated dates on Training Returns Form and associated template.

15th December 2017
Standard 1 pages 1-3- updated page numbers following introduction of new guidance 1.1G

Standard 1 pages 7-8-updated page numbers following introduction of new guidance 1.1G

Standard 1 page 9- corrected error in reference to non existing template

Standard 1 page 47-48- updated table with new category of retired clerics with no Church authority in Ireland

Standard 1 page 49- added new guidance 1.1G on retired clerics with no Church authority in Ireland who seek to minister.

30th November 2017

Standard 2 pages 2 and 5- updated page numbers following introduction of new guidance 2.1L.

Standard 2 page 6- added new diagram following Children First 2015 requirements.

Standard 2 page 7- updated reference to allegations received by DLP.

Standard 2 page 8- added in reference to 2.1L and clarified requirements of leaving contact details of DLP.

Standard 2 pages 12 and 14- updated reference to DLP now only requiring allegations relating to Church personnel.

Standard 2 page 13- Clarified requirements around informing a child's parent/guardian.

Standard 2 page 15 and 16- updated with new requirements of Children First 2015.

Standard 2 page 31- new guidance added on Mandated Persons(ROI only).

24th November 2017
Standard 4 page 2- updated page number following introduction of Guidance 4.4D.

Standard 4 page 44- added Guidance 4.4D Monitoring at the Request of Another Church Authority.

23rd November 2017
Standard 3 page 2- updated page numbers following introduction of new template 3.1A Template 1

Standard 3 pages 7 and 8- added in reference to new template 3.1A Template 1

Standard 3 pages 11-20- added in new template 3.1A Template 1 Exampled Information for Complainants

22nd November 2017
Standard 1 page 47- clarified documentation required for priests and religious on once off cover.

2nd November 2017
Appendix C- updated definition for exploitation following revision of Co-operating to Safeguard Children in NI.

9th October 2017
Standard 2 pages 2 and 5- updated page numbers following introduction of new guidance.

9th October 2017
Standard 2 page 28- added in new guidance for dealing with allegations against lay members of Church personnel

9th October 2017
Standard 2 pages 9 and 11- added in date informed field to child protection referral form and space for mandated persons signature (applicable in ROI only) 

9th October 2017
Standard 2 Page 8- added in hyperlinks to guidance for different types of complainants.

9th October 2017

Standard 2 Pages 23 and 24- added in additional section for allegations against non ordained Church authorities.

5th October 2017
Appendix C pages 4,5 and 6- Definitions for ROI updated in line with Children First 2017.

5th October 2017
Standard 7 pages 9,18, 23,28, 29 (and templates 7.1C Template 1-5) - added in review date to notification templates and annual audit templates. 

2nd October 2017
Standard 1 pages 47 and 48- updated table for visiting clerics/religious/lay ministers with reference to SLAs.  

2nd October 2017
Standard 1 page 7- updated vetting records requirements.

21st September 2017
Standard 1 page 25- new section added on Service Level Agreements and new template (1.1B Template 1).

21st September 2017
Standard 1 page 28- new section added on assessing suitability of applicants following a vetting disclosure.

21st September 2017
Standard 1 page 26- updated employees to Church personnel to ensure consistent language.

21st September 2017

Standard 1 page 22-clarified requirements for vetting under 18s.

21st September 2017
Standard 1 page 21- clarified date of legislation.

21st September 2017
Standard 1 pages 2,3,4, 7 and 8- updated pages number following updating of vetting guidance.

13th June 2017
Appendix C page 2- NI definitions updated in line with Co-operating to Safeguard Children in NI 2016. 

12th June 2017
Standard 1 pages 27- clarified requirements for storage of vetting records following feedback from Church personnel

6th June 2017
Standard 7 pages 20 and 25- clarified requirements for full day safeguarding training and amended associated templates 7.1C Templates 2 and 3.

Standard 7 pages 2 and 3- updated page numbers.

Standard 7 page 7- fixed an inccorect link to guidance 7.1C Template 1.

30th May 2017
Standard 1-page 27 clarified storage of recrods for vetting checks.

Standard 1- page 41 added in guidance on lay ecclesial ministers.

Standard 1- pages 44 and 45- added in new guidance on documentation required for different types of ministry in Ireland.

Standard 1- page2,3 and 4- updated page numbers following new guidance.

Standard 1- page 8- added in records needed for different types of ministry in Ireland.


25th May 2017
Standard 6 6.2B Template 1- updated word template with blank text box to allow words police and child protection service to be changed

12th May 2017
Standard 7 pages 36 and 37- new guidance added on constitution of a safeguarding committee.

Standard 7 page 2- page numbers updated following introduction of new guidance.

Standard 7 page 5- page numbers updated following introduction of new guidance.


11th May 2017
Standard 5 page 2- changed page order following deletion of 5.1A Template 2, and renamed agreement form Induction Agreement form.

Standard 5 page 5- changed page order following deletion of 5.1A Template 2, and renamed agreement form Induction Agreement form.

Standard 5 page 6- changed wording to reflect new name of Induction Agreement Form.

Standard 5 page 7- changed title and also clarified wording around requirment to attend training (5.1A Template 1 also updated).

Standard 6 page 26- redrafted irish version of the policy statement (Template 6.3A Template 2 also updated).

Standard 1 page 92- 1.10A Template 1 added for clerics/religious who are ministering with children in an external organisation/Church body.

Standard 1 page 91- added in reference in 1.10A Template 1.

Standard 1 pages 1 and 7- updated page contents to take account of 1.10A Template 1 being added.

Standard 3 pages 12 and 13- added in additional information regarding Support People meeting with complainants.

10th March 2017
Standard 1 page 26- clarified language around storage for vetting records.

9th March 2017
Standard 4 pages 8 and 9- clarified requirement to store information by DLP from advisors in relation to concerns about mental health concerns of respondent.

2nd March 2017
Standard 1 page 26- clarified language around requirements to store identity checks.

Standard 1 page 85- clarified language in relation to parents of all children being offered the option to be copied in to texts sent by Church personnel to children with their consent in exceptional circumstances.

21st February 2017
Standard 1 pages 85 and 86- clarified the use of texting and email with young people.

16th February 2017
Standard 7 pages 12, 20, 26 and 28 and associated templates- clarified language in relation to clerics/religious and clarified template in relation to Church personnel being given the opportunity to attend information sessions.

8th February 2017
Standard 3 - pages 13 - fixed error in reference to respondent under storage of records.

6th February 2017
Standard 3 - pages 12 and 13- clarified information relating to recording contact with the complainant.

1st February 2017
Standard 7 - page 31- reworded notification form and associated word template to include reference to Standard 1.

Standard 1 - page 26- clarified non storage of identity check for vetting. 

Standard 1 - page 51- reworded consent form and associated word template to include reference to codes of behaviour.

26th January 2017
Standard 2- page 14- updated guidance on managing anonymous allegations of abuse.

20th January 2017

Standard 7- page 3- clarified role of safeguarding committee.

19th January 2017
Standard 1- pages 2, 13 and 1.1A Template 2- renamed from Volunteer Application Form to Application Form.

Standard 1- page 10- added in reference to possibly completing an adapted version of the Application Form for volunteers.

Standard 4- page 7- added reference to confidentiality declaration.

Standard 4- pages 8 and 9- clarified inoformation relating to recording contact with respondent.

Standard 5 page 15- clarified length of registration process for trainers.

Standard 5 page 16- updated numer of tutors.

Standard 5 pages 11, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22,11 and 5.3B Template 3- updated Training Manager to Director of Training and Support.

13th January 2017
Standard 4 page 30- following feedback added the word reparation to second last paragraph.

Standard 4 page 39- Added new Template 4.3E Template 1- Example Notification Letter to Complainants on the Death of a Respondent.

Standard 4 pages 1 and 6- updated pages numbers following additional template being added.

12th January 2017
Word template 1.1C Template 3- has now been updated to match text in pdf version of Standard 1.

Standard 1 page 24- reference to CORI and IMU now replaced with AMRI.

Standard 1 pages 6,7- updated page references in table to match new contents of Standard 1.

21st December 2016

Appendix D- added contact details of all local gardai stations for reporting allegations which do not relate to clerics/religious.

Standard 7 pages 33-34- reorganised Template 7.1D to make report easier to use, and updated associated word template.

Standard 1 page 2- Reordered contents page.

Standard 1 page 29- Added advice on visiting seminarians to Guidance 1.1C.

Standard 1 page 39- Added 1.1D Guidance on visiting clergy and national/international shrines.

Standard 1 page 90- Clarified reference to written consent for adults when being web broadcasted.

Standard 1 pages 50, 51- Reorganised consent form based on feedback and updated associated word template.

25th November 2016
Standard 1 pages 20-28- Vetting guidance updated.

21st November 2016
Standard 2 Page 29- Error with the names of templates on this page has been corrected.

16th November 2106
6.2B Template 1 has now been updated so that details can be typed in to the word document.

21st September 2016
Correction to english, irish and polish version of the policy statement in Standatd 6 pages 11, 25 and 26 and associated templates.

Latest version of the summary policy and standards leaflet has been inserted in Standard 6 pages 20, 21 and associated templates.

26th August 2016

References to Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in NI updated in Standard 2 pages 7, 28 and 41.

28th July 2016
Contact details clarified in Appendix D.

20th July 2016
Contact details in Appendix D updated.

18th July 2016
Error corrected on page 23 of Standard 2.

ENDORSEMENTS

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