Beyond the Screen: Understanding Digital Risk, Grooming and Safeguarding in Faith Communities - Session 3

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 3: 18^th of November: Recognising Online Risk & Responding Effectively

A practical, case‑based session that helps participants identify indicators of online harm, including grooming behaviours, coercive control, misinformation, and breaches of confidentiality. It provides clear guidance on reporting concerns, documenting interactions, and applying National Board procedures when safeguarding issues arise in digital contexts.

Content

The programme will broaden traditional understandings of grooming.

Grooming can involve establishing trust not only with a child but within the wider environment surrounding that child. Participants will consider the potential grooming or manipulation of:

• Children and young people.
• Parents and caregivers.
• Colleagues.
• Volunteers.
• Organisations.
• Communities.

The cost for this training is 20 euro per person.