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Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

two small babiesThe Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) is committed to creating a safe, healthy and inclusive environment for all, particularly, the children, young people and vulnerable adults whom we assist.

We are committed at all times to ensuring their safety and welfare through upholding children’s rights specifically and human rights generally.
 

Our National Safeguarding Manager, Bernadette Casey, is available to provide information and advice through our National Office at 01 8848200.

We endeavour to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults by:

  • Reporting concerns to Statutory Authorities who need to know and involving parents, carers, children, young people and vulnerable adults appropriately;
  • Sharing information about child and vulnerable adult protection and good practice with children, young people, vulnerable adults, parents, carers, members, auxiliary members and employees;
  • Recognising the welfare of the child is of paramount importance;
  • Recognising the risks posed to vulnerable adults;
  • Adopting child and vulnerable adult protection guidelines through a code of conduct for members, auxiliary members and employees;
  • Following carefully the procedures laid down for the recruitment and selection of members, auxiliary members and employees;
  • Providing for members, auxiliary members and employees through, supervision, support and training.
     

All our volunteers and staff engage in a rigorous recruitment and selection process prior to having access to children, young people or vulnerable adults.

This includes:
  • Completing a written application form 
  • Signing a declaration stating that there is no reason why they would be considered unsuitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults
  • Providing photo identification (passport / driving license) which verifies their, identity, name and DOB.
  • Attending for interview
  • Providing references
  • Undergoing Garda Vetting​ 
 

SVP Safeguarding Policy

SVP Child Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding Awareness Training Programmes

Garda Vetting

ACCESS NI

Designated Liaison Persons

Need Help? Designated Liaison Persons

In order to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults we have appointed a Designated Liaison Person in each of our Regions. This person is specially trained to respond to any queries in relation to abuse, welfare and protection from our membership, those whom we assist and the general public.
 
They can be contacted at the following numbers:
 
East Region
Home Visitation
  • VACANT - Finglas / Cabra, Dublin 15, Ballyfermot / Clondalkin, West, Rathdown, Kildare North, West County; North County, Ballymun, North East 1, North East 2, East, Kildare South, Wicklow East
  • Maria Peate Sorensen, DLP, Tel. 01 8198449 Mobile 087 0919943 Email: mariapeate-sorensen.east@svp.ie - North Central, North West, South East, South West City, South West Crumlin, South Central, Hospital Visitation, Wicklow West, West Tallaght, Tallaght Central
  • Linda Kenny, DLP, [disclosures on the phone] Tel 01 8198427 Email: lindakenny.east@svp.ie

For more information on which DLP is assigned to each Area Council click here.

Special Works
  • Geraldine O'Driscoll, Ozanam House Resource Centre, 53 Mountjoy Square West, Dublin 1. Email: geraldine.odriscoll@svp.ie Tel: 01-8742804 Mob: 086-4579291
  • Senan Coughlan – Youth Co-ordinator, Ozanam House Resource Centre, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. Email: senan.coughlan@svp.ie​ 
  • Vacant, Youth Development Officer, Tel: 01 8198454 
  • Teresa Clarke, DLP, Cloverhill, Montjoy Prison Visitors Centres, Co Dublin Tel: Cloverhill: 01 6304646 and Mountjoy: 01 8858923 Mobile: 086 0436887 or teresa.clarke@svp.ie
  • Lynn Byrne, Acting DLP for Retail – lynn.byrne@svp.ie 
Mid West Region
North Region
North East & Midlands Region
North West Region
South East Region
South West Region
West Region

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