Beyond the Screen: Understanding Digital Risk, Grooming and Safeguarding in Faith Communities - Session 1 via Zoom at 3pm

NATIONAL BOARD ONLINE TRAINING SERIES

A four‑part online training series designed to equip Church personnel with the skills, confidence, and clarity needed to safeguard well in today’s digital world. Each session can be attended as a standalone or as a series of 4 interconnected sessions. 

Beyond the Screens is a 4 part program delivered by Eileen Finnegan of F.S.P.S. (Finnegan Specialist Psychotherapy Service). FPS is a specialist therapeutic and forensic intervention service founded by Eileen Finnegan, an extensively trained and highly accredited psychotherapist and supervisor (MIACP, MIAHIP, MEAP, ICP, FTAI). With over thirty years of study and practice, Eileen holds advanced qualifications across systemic/family therapy, humanistic and integrative psychotherapy, gestalt, child and adolescent psychotherapy, sensory‑motor trauma therapy, attachment, and forensic assessment, including a Postgraduate Certificate in A.T.S.O. She is licensed in a wide range of specialist risk‑assessment tools, is a former chair of NOTA Ireland, sits on national boards, and lectures at IICP College and UCD.

The sessions are delivered via Zoom

• On the 4^th of November 2026, 3pm to 4pm - SESSION 1
• On the 9^th of November 2026, 3pm to 4pm - SESSION 2
• On the 18^th of November 2026, 3pm to 4pm - SESSION 3
• On the 9^th of December 2026, 3pm to 4pm - SESSION 4

Each of the above sessions costs €20.

The Zoom link will be forwarded in the days before the session.

The training aims to support clergy, religious, safeguarding personnel, youth workers, volunteers and others working within faith and community settings.

Session 1: 4^th of November: Safeguarding Foundations in the Digital Age

A clear, accessible introduction to safeguarding online. This session explores how digital communication, social media, and virtual pastoral contact intersect with Church safeguarding standards. Participants gain a grounded understanding of emerging risks, responsibilities, and the principles that guide safe ministry in online spaces.

Content

• Social media, gaming, messaging platforms and online communities.
• Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• How children and young people experience relationships, identity and belonging online.
• The increasing overlap between online and offline lives.
• Balancing the benefits of technology with safe and ethical practice.
• Cyberbullying.
• Grooming.
• Exploitation.
• Image-based sexual harm.
• Coercion and blackmail.
• Exposure to inappropriate or harmful material.
• Online boundary violations.
• How digital harm intersects with existing safeguarding responsibilities.

The cost for this training is 20 euro per person.