PCI Safeguarding Children (ROI) Procedures
16: Glossary of terms
Chapter 16:
The policies and procedures for Safeguarding in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland are written so that they are accessible to as many as possible.
They are written in ‘layman’s terms’ as much as we are able to ensure that all can engage as closely as possible with the ethos and values of our approach.
The policy and procedures are written in line with, and under the spirit of, the regional legislation of ROI, human rights approaches and other good practice guidance.
Safeguarding means ‘ensuring safe practice and appropriate responses by workers and volunteers to concerns about the safety or welfare of children, including online concerns, should these arise. Child Safeguarding is about protecting the child from harm, promoting their welfare and in doing so creating an environment which enables children and young people to grow, develop and achieve their full potential’ (Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, 2nd Edition, 2024, Tusla).
It is wider than child protection, which is often the term used to identify government policy and its services working to prevent children being neglected and abused and to intervene when they are. In Ireland, as in many countries, the welfare of children is paramount (Child Protection and Welfare Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, 21 April 2023).
A child means a person under the age of 18 years, who is not or has not been married (Section 2 of the Child Care Act 1991).
Harm is defined in the Children First Act 2015 as ‘(a) assault, ill treatment or neglect of a child in a manner that seriously affects or is likely to seriously affect the child’s health, development or welfare, or (b) sexual abuse of the child, whether caused by a single act, omission or circumstance or a series or combination of acts, omissions or circumstances, or otherwise’.
Prevention is the importance of preventing problems occurring or worsening through the introduction of timely supportive measures.
Child Safeguarding Statement As defined in the Children First Act 2015, this means a written statement specifying the service being provided and the principles and procedures to be observed to ensure, as far as practicable, that a child, while availing of the service, is safe from harm.
Mandated Person means those defined in the Children First Act 2015 who have a statutory obligation to report concerns that reach a particular threshold to Tusla and to cooperate with Tusla in the assessment of mandated reports.
Designated Liaison Person refers to the individual appointed by Kirk Session to oversee and administrate child safeguarding functions in each local church.
Statutory authorities refers, in the Republic of Ireland, to Tusla (Child and Family Agency), which is the statutory body responsible for child protection matters and for improving well-being and outcomes for children and/or to An Garda Síochána, which is empowered under legislation to investigate possible criminal offences.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (‘the denomination’) is part of the universal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. As such, He is the King and Head of the Church. It consists of congregations of persons who are associated for the administration and observance of ordinances according to the Bible, under a common government. It was established in 1840 with the coming together at that time of different strands of Presbyterianism, and has congregations across the island of Ireland.
The Minister, also known as teaching Elder, exercises oversight of the church in conjunction with the ruling Elders. The special calling of the Minister is the ministry of the Word, in public and in private, the conduct of public worship, the administration of the sacraments, the instruction of the young and the pastoral care of souls. The Minister’s calling is exercised in the service of others. The Minister is not an employee, but a remunerated, called office-holder in the Church.
The Presbytery is primarily responsible for corporate oversight of the congregations and causes assigned to it by the General Assembly, and of the Ministers and Elders connected with it, and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom generally within the geographical area for which it is responsible. The Presbytery shall observe the laws and directions of the Assembly and, so far as lies within its powers, ensure that those subject to its jurisdiction and within its fellowship do likewise. There are 19 Presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Elders, also known as ruling Elders, acting together as the Kirk Session, work together with the Minister (teaching Elder) in the oversight and government of the congregation, for the upbuilding of God’s people in spiritual fruitfulness and holy concord, and for the extension of Christ’s kingdom among all people.
The Clerk of Presbytery is appointed by the Presbytery from among the Ministers or ruling Elders under its jurisdiction, and is responsible for the administration of the Presbytery, especially the recording of minutes of the meetings of Presbytery in a minute book kept by the Presbytery for that purpose and for the safe custody of the minute books of the Presbytery and its other records.
The Clerk of the General Assembly is appointed by the General Assembly as one of its officers. The Clerk of Assembly is responsible for the administration of the Assembly, especially the recording of minutes of the meetings of the Assembly. The Clerk of Assembly also acts as General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
The Moderator of Presbytery is a Minister who is a member of the Presbytery, and presides over the meetings of Presbytery as first among equals. The Moderator normally serves for one year.
The Kirk Session is the name given to the body of Elders [teaching and ruling] who together oversee and govern a congregation in its Christian calling. The Elders [teaching and ruling] are the charity trustees of the congregation. Each Kirk Session is under the immediate jurisdiction of the Presbytery.
GLOSSARY END