The Elphin diocese has appointed two Designated Persons, who can be contacted with regard to any concerns relating to the welfare of children or issues pertaining to child abuse.

Fr. Ray Browne PP, Ballagh, Killrooskey, Roscommon,Co. Roscommon
Tel: 0906 626273

Mrs. Mary Nicholson, c/o St. Mary's, Temple Street, Sligo. Tes: 086 3750277

In the event of a concern involving Church personnel either of the above will respond promptly and liaise with the required civil authorities, i.e. the Health Services Executive and An Garda Síochána.

Concerns and complaints may also be passed on directly to the Health Services Executive and / or An Garda Síochána.

H.S.E. West (Sligo) Tel: 071 9155133.
H.S.E. West (Boyle) Tel: 071 96 62087
H.S.E. West (Roscommon) Tel: 090 6637528/9
H.S.E. West (Castlerea) Tel: 090 66 37842/3/8
H.S.E. West (Galway) Tel: 091 523122.

Contact your local Garda Station
Garda Confidential Service Tel: 1800 666 111

Accredited Keeping Safe Child Protection Trainers

The Elphin diocese has four Registered Keeping Safe Child Protection Trainers as follows

• Mr. Frank McGuinness (Trained under HSE Mayo/ Roscommon Initiative)
• Mrs Mary Nicholson (Trained under HSE Mayo/Roscommon Initiative)

Director of Safeguarding Children

This post holder liaises between Bishop Jones, the Elphin Diocesan Child Protection AdvisoryCommittee, Diocesan Keeping Safe Trainers the Diocesan Office. He also works closely with the Child Protection Committee’s P.R.O., Pauline Scott, in keeping local media informed of developments, and liaises with others diocesan committees, e.g. Diocesan Priests Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council, when the need for broader consultation arises, e.g. when diocese was discerning its child protection policy position.

The principal task of the Director is to support Bishop Jones in advancing best practice throughout the parishes of the diocese. Secondly, he is charged with keeping a written record of related developments so that such developments can be integrated into the annual reports of the Diocesan Child Protection Committee.

Frank McGuinness currently holds the position of Director of Safeguarding Children in the Diocese of Elphin his contact details are as follows:

Mr. Frank McGuinness
Director of Youth Ministry and Safeguarding Children
St. Mary’s
Sligo
087 9880690

Pastoral Care Support Persons

The diocese recognises the support needs of complainants and alleged perpetrators of abuse. The Designated Person can introduce these persons and their families to a panel of Support Persons.

Support Persons have a pastoral role. Part of this can involve assisting and facilitating people access information and professional help. They are caring people as distinct from professionals in the Child Protection sector.

Persons seeking pastoral support with regard to issues of child abuse are also encouraged to do so through their local clergy, or make direct contact with:

The Elphin Diocesan Office,
St. Mary’s,
Temple St.,
Sligo.
Tel: 071 9162670.
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