Information Regarding AccessNI Changes

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Information Regarding AccessNI Changes

Due to recent changes introduced by AccessNI, the way AccessNI checks are processed has now been changed. Below is a summary of the key changes and their implications for the Church of Ireland.

New Vetting Team

Processing AccessNI disclosures will now take place from Church House in Rathmines, Dublin. Our current Garda Vetting staff -Christine Cody, Alex Kinch and Chiara De Raffaele, will be taking over the processing of AccessNI checks and Garda Vetting checks. This new vetting team will be based in Church House, Rathmines, and managed by Niall Moore.

You can contact the vetting team by:

Email: AccessNI.admin@rcbcoi.org

Phone: 00353 1 4125624 (ROI number) / 0044 7849 643083 (NI number)

Post: Vetting Team, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67

For dioceses with parishes located in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the contact details for Garda Vetting applications remain unchanged.

To increase the efficiency of the AccessNI process, we encourage all parishes and dioceses to scan or take a clear photo of their documentation and send it to AccessNI.admin@rcbcoi.org. For security purposes, we recommend that you password-protect these documents and contact the vetting team by phone to share the password.

If you prefer to post documents, we kindly ask that you send them directly to the Dublin office at the address provided above. Any mail sent to the Belfast office will be collected and forwarded to Dublin once a week. Please note that this will result in a delay in processing checks, so where possible, we strongly encourage the submission of forms via email.

Changes to AccessNI System 

AccessNI are implementing changes to the vetting process. Effective from 3rd April 2025, the processing of Identification Checks for AccessNI will be required to be completed online.

Applicants will be required to upload various forms of ID documentation when creating their account on NIDirect. Additional documentation will then be uploaded online as part of their AccessNI application. The vetting team will verify the ID, eliminating the need for this step to be completed at diocesan or parish level.

To incorporate these changes a new Application Pack has been created and can be accessed here https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/access-ni/. 

Who can be Checked and What Type of Checks are Available?

Due to changes in guidance and practice from AccessNI, roles within the Church of Ireland that are eligible for enhanced checks have changed.

We have worked with AccessNI to establish a list of roles eligible for an enhanced check and those that are not. This list is not definitive, and we will regularly review it with AccessNI to ensure it remains current. Any updates will be shared on our website: https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/access-ni/. It is important that each role is assessed according to the guidance to determine whether an AccessNI check is required. If you believe a role is missing from the list and should be included, please let us know, and we will contact AccessNI for clarification and update the list accordingly.

Roles that are not eligible for an enhanced check can still apply for a basic check. This can be done directly by the applicant and will not be processed by the Vetting Team. For more information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/apply-online-basic-check.

AccessNI checks are role-specific, and it is important to remember that if an individual who does not require an enhanced check for their current role takes on a new role, they may need an enhanced check. It is essential to note that AccessNI checks are just one part of the safeguarding process. For roles that are not eligible for an enhanced disclosure, it is crucial to ensure that appropriate recruitment processes and safeguarding arrangements are adhered to.

New Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

For data protection reasons, we now require that each parish and diocese sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between them and the RCB . The SLA is available here: https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/access-ni/. Once signed, the SLA should be scanned and emailed to AccessNI.admin@rcbcoi.org as soon as possible. Please note that no new AccessNI checks will be processed without a valid SLA in place.

The SLA requires each diocese or parish to designate an authorised signatory—typically the Bishop for dioceses or the Incumbent for parishes. This contact is the person that all correspondence will be sent to and information about vetting will be shared with. An authorised signatory can also designate a contact person where correspondence can be sent to if they wish.   This can be done on page 7 of the SLA. If personnel change, please let the vetting team know and we can issue a new SLA.

Repeating AccessNI Checks

Under the new policy, we will be moving to rechecking AccessNI every 3 years. It is important that parishes and dioceses retain records to enable them to resubmit AccessNI applications when they are required. If you need to check the last AccessNI checks that were submitted, please contact a member of the vetting team.

Paying for AccessNI Checks

If roles require payment, this will continue to be processed in the normal way. AccessNI will invoice the vetting team for the checks and these costs will be attributed to the relevant parish or diocese via an email from Christine Cody in the vetting team.

What do I Need to do Next?

  1. Sign the Service Level Agreement and send it via email to AccessNI.admin@rcbcoi.org
  2. Read the list of roles to be vetted on the website here: https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org/access-ni/ and send through any application packs preferably online to AccessNI.admin@rcbcoi.org 

NEW PARISH PANEL TRAINING

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In-person Child Safeguarding Training for Parish Panels has been arranged for a number of dioceses. Please visit the Training and Events page for more information and details of how to book your place.

Central Church Offices on the Move in Belfast

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The Church of Ireland’s central staff in Belfast, working for departments of the Representative Church Body and for the General Synod, have moved to 18-22 Hill Street, in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, following the vacation of Church of Ireland House on Donegall Street.

 

Members of staff working in the following areas are currently located at this new address:

  • Board of Education (NI) & Transferor Representatives’ Council
  • Church of Ireland Press Office
  • Church of Ireland Youth Department
  • Safeguarding Office (NI) & Access NI vetting

Parishes are asked to note that all Access NI forms must now be sent to:

Claire Geoghegan

Access NI Administrator
Floor 2, 18-22 Hill Street

Belfast

BT1 2LA

Correspondence addressed to former Church of Ireland offices on Donegall Street will no longer be received.

The offices may be contacted as follows:

Safeguarding Office (NI)

Safeguarding Officer: Gillian Taylor
Access NI Administrator: Claire Geoghegan
Tel: +44 (0)28 9082 8860

Email: sgoni@rcbcoi.org

Website: https://safeguarding.ireland.anglican.org

 

Board of Education (NI) & Transferor Representatives’ Council
Secretary: Peter Hamill
Administrator: Claire Geoghegan

Tel: +44 (0)28 9082 8860
Email: edunorth@rcbcoi.org / peter.hamill@rcbcoi.org

Transferors’ website: www.trc-churcheducation.org

Church of Ireland Press Office

Press Officer: Peter Cheney

Tel: +44 (0)28 9082 8880
Mob: +44(0)7774 295 369

Email: pressoffice@rcbcoi.org / peter.cheney@rcbcoi.org

Website: www.ireland.anglican.org/news

 

 Church of Ireland Youth Department

National Youth Officer: Simon Henry
Administrator: Barbara Swann

Tel: +44 (0)28 9082 8890

Emails: admin@ciyd.org / simon@ciyd.org / barbara@ciyd.org

Website: www.ciyd.org

 

The Transferor Representatives’ Council represents the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and Methodist Church in Ireland in all matters of education in Northern Ireland.

 

Full contact information for the Dioceses of Connor and Down and Dromore, at their new offices at Old Channel Road in East Belfast, is available at the following links:

 

Clergy, staff, and volunteers are recommended to keep this information for reference and to amend the relevant contact details held on file as needed.  Our central staff look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you at their new location.

 

Issued by the Church of Ireland Press Office


Floor 2 · 18-22 Hill Street
Belfast
BT1 2LA

 

Duty mobile: +44(0)7774 295 369

Volunteer Week 1st -7th June 2023

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A BIG THANK YOU

Volunteer Week 1st -7th June 2023

In Northern Ireland, it is volunteer week where volunteering is promoted, and volunteers are recognised and celebrated. The Church of Ireland has so many volunteers in so many places across Ireland, from Sunday School teachers and youth leaders to those who serve on Parish Panels to ensure that Safeguarding is upheld to a high standard. It would be impossible to name all the volunteer roles within the Church as they are so wide and varied. It is recognised that volunteers give their time and energy and offer their skills and commitment to support others within the Church and beyond. It is much appreciated by the Safeguarding Team. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Volunteers’ Week 2023 Launched! – Volunteer Now

RTE news : Four in ten adults experienced sexual violence – CSO

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By Ailbhe Conneely Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent – RTE

Four in ten adults experienced sexual violence – CSO (rte.ie)

Four in ten adults have experienced sexual violence over their lifetime, according to a sexual violence survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
It shows that clear differences by sex and age were evident as over half or 52% of women experienced sexual violence in their lifetime compared with 28% of men.

The people who took part in the CSO’s Sexual Violence Survey 2022 were aged 18 and over.

They were randomly selected without any prior knowledge of their background or life story.

Those who took part represented a broad cross-section of the population of Ireland, with a mix of ages and sex, across urban and rural areas and from every county.

In terms of age, around 65% of women aged 18-24 experienced sexual violence in their lifetime compared with 17% for men aged 65 and over.

Six times more women experienced non-consensual sexual intercourse as an adult than men.

It found that 18% of women experienced non-consensual sexual intercourse compared with 3% of men.

The data also shows that child sexual violence was experienced by men and women across all age groups, but young women (aged 18-24) reported the highest levels.

For example, unwanted sexual intercourse as a child was reported by 10% of women aged 18-24 compared with 2% of men in this age group.

New data on the prevalence of sexual violence from the CSO shows that almost eight in ten adults who experienced sexual violence at least once in their lifetime knew the perpetrator, with very little difference between women and men.

About half of adults or 47% who experienced sexual violence in their lifetime told someone about it, whether that was to one person, many people or a group or organisation.

Just over half of women or 53% who experienced sexual violence in their lifetime told someone compared with a third of men or 34%.

CSO Statistician Helen McGrath said this was the first of a series of publications on sexual violence – and more detail on the main findings would be available in the months to come.

“It is stark information we are providing today … it is uncomfortable reading at times. We will be able to provide more insight in the months to come,” Ms McGrath said.

She said she hoped the information provided today would inform policymakers to make better policy.

A publication on adult experiences will be published in May, childhood experiences will be in May/June, and a publication on disclosures will occur in June.

The next will focus on sexual harassment and finally a publication on attitudes will follow in July.

More than 4,500 people were surveyed for this study. There was a 37% response rate and it was predominantly conducted online.

‘Devastating consequences’

Services for victims of sexual violence have welcomed the CSO survey.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, which offered support to the CSO in its work, noted the survivor-focused methodology used to help identify those impacted by sexual violence.

CEO Noeline Blackwell described the survey as “setting a new standard for defining sexual violence on an international level”.

She said it was shocking to see the level of sexual violence that persists in society today.

The National Women’s Council said it is dismayed but not surprised by the figures which show that 1 in 2 women will experience sexual violence during their lifetime and 1 in 5 will experience non-consensual sexual intercourse, which is rape.

Such a high incidence of sexual violence, according to the NWC, had “devastating consequences”, not just for individual women but for women and society as a whole.

The Women’s Council also said the statistic that 4 out of 5 women who experienced sexual violence knew the perpetrator, is important.

It also noted the CSO recognising that the figures may represent an under-reporting because of the nature of these crimes.

One in Four, which helps people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, described the incidence of this type of abuse outlined in the survey as “alarmingly high”, despite all the revelations of child sexual abuse in the past twenty years and the positive developments in policy and child protection.

The organisation pointed out that if similar statistics referred to a childhood illness or disease it would be a national emergency.

“…new forms of child sexual abuse are evolving all the time, especially on the internet. This new research must be a wake-up call for us all and presents a serious challenge to the government, child protection services and law enforcement,” it said.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, One in Four Chief Executive Meave Lewis said if child sexual abuse “was any other childhood illness, there would be an emergency response” and that Ireland was well placed to be able to “pilot and test various strategies”.

“I am thinking things like a schools education programme so we equip children to tell if they are concerned about anything that is happening to them and indeed an education programme around healthy sexuality,” she said.

The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland described the prevalence of sexual violence amongst young women as “particularly shocking”.

“While we must wait for subsequent reports for details on vital information on the gender of perpetrators, we know that male violence is a stark reality we need to face up to with increased commitment and determination.

“We need urgent action to tackle on-going misogyny and the unwillingness of a large proportion of males to view females as equal human beings as the root cause of this violence,” it said.

‘No little baby boy is born an abuser – what happens in our society, homes, schools – matters’

Minister for Justice Simon Harris described the report’s findings as “very concerning”.

He said what was “extremely concerning” from the CSO survey was that 500 people who took part in the survey had never told anybody about the sexual violence they encountered, other than the CSO “for the very first time”.

The minister said it is a “real indication of the scale of work that needs to be undertaken and is being undertaken in terms of changing culture, really trying to adopt a zero-tolerance approach”.

He said the statistic that is “probably the most harrowing, and if it doesn’t stop us in our tracks I am not sure what will, is that nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced rape as an adult”.

Mr Harris agreed with the Rape Crisis Centre that further reform of the justice system is needed, where victims can feel safe in reporting what has happened to them, in safety and in confidence:

“A lot is being done on the criminal justice side, whether that is changing the law, like Coco’s law, for example, to make it an offence to share intimate images, or increasing sentencing for assault causing harm, or bringing forward a new sexual offences bill which I will do in the coming weeks that will reform the law around consent.

“But it is about an awful lot more – what the the report tells us is that the majority of adults – almost 8 out of 10 – who experience sexual violence experience it from someone they know – their partner, their friend, somebody in the workplace.

“No little baby boy is born an abuser – what happens in our society, homes, schools – matters.”

He acknowledged that on a “victim’s journey and the rollout of counselling”, the Government has more to do, but he said there is a €363 million plan to adopt a zero tolerance approach to domestic sexual and gender-based violence.

Anyone affected by the issues raised in the survey can contact the following helplines:

National Sexual Violence Helpline (for men and women) – 1800 778 888 or rapecrisishelp.ie

National Domestic Violence Helpline (for women) – 1800 341 900

Men’s Aid Ireland – 01 554 3811, a national support service for men, their children and families experiencing domestic abuse.

Other helplines can be accessed here.

 

Minister O’Gorman and Minister Rabbitte announce 26 April as date for the abolition of wardship and full operationalisation of the Decision Support Service

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Published on 

Last updated on 

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, and Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, have today announced that 26 April will be set as the day for the abolition of wardship, the operationalisation of the Decision Support Service, and the introduction of a new system of tiered decision-making supports.

The announcement follows the enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022, which was signed into law by the President on 17 December last.

The 2022 Act amends the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which provides the legal basis for the abolition of wardship. The Act replaces the wards of court system with a new, progressive, rights based system of assisted decision-making.

A number of Statutory Instruments will be prepared over the weeks leading up to the 26th of April in order to finalise preparations for the full operationalisation of the Decision Support Service.

From Commencement:

  • the Decision Support Service will be able to process applications for new decision support arrangements
  • the Circuit Court will be able to process applications for Decision Making Representative Orders
  • there will be statutory provision for the making and recognition of Advance Healthcare Directives
  • wardship will be abolished and the over 2000 wards of court which currently exist in the State will have a review of their circumstances undertaken by the wardship court and will exit wardship on a phased basis over the next three years

The 2022 Amendment Act also provides for key measures related to further compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In a headline measure, the Act will raise the minimum target percentage of people with disabilities to be employed in the public sector from 3% to 6%, on a phased basis, by 2025.

Commenting on today’s announcement Minister O’Gorman stated:

“I am extremely pleased to be able to make today’s announcement setting a date for the abolition of wardship and for replacing it with a modern, fit for purpose, rights based system.

“Wardship is an archaic legal system that has been on the statute book for far too long. It has denied people basic control over the decisions which affect their lives. The new assisted decision-making system will move away from an outdated and paternalistic “best interests” model and allow people far greater control over basic decisions in their own lives.

“Every person in Ireland has, or will have, some experience of diminished capacity, whether that is personal experience or the experience of a loved one, and whether it is simply age related or whether it arises from a particular impairment. This Act ensures that when capacity issues arise, we address those issues with a fundamental respect for will and preference, for dignity, and for the rights of each of us to control our own affairs.

“The scale of the reform involved cannot be overstated. Wardship as a legal system is older than the Irish State. Its abolition is a landmark step forward in modernising our laws and better supporting our citizens.

“I am equally pleased that the legislation brings forward a suite of measures to advance disability rights, and in particular that the public sector will show leadership on the critical issue of employment.

“I look forward to the launch of the new system, and the abolition of wardship, at the end of April.”

Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, has also welcomed the announcement, and stated:

“I am delighted to see a date set for the abolition of wardship and look forward to seeing the first applications made for supports under the new system in April.

“This is a significant advancement for the rights of everyone in Ireland.

“Periods of diminished capacity can happen to anyone, but the new legislation is particularly welcome for people whose capacity difficulties arise from a disability or a specific impairment, and for whom wardship has been the only recourse for far too long.

“I am delighted to see the legislation used to advance a range of measures for further compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Employment, in particular, is such a crucial issue for addressing the cost of disability and facilitating independent living and social inclusion. The new targets place a shared obligation on our entire public sector to play our part and show leadership on this issue.”

Notes

Commencement refers to a system where legislation which has been passed by the Oireachtas comes into actual legal force. This occurs upon the making of a Commencement Order. The majority of the 2015 Act and the 2022 Amendment Act is currently uncommenced.

The 2022 Amendment Act makes changes to the 2015 Act, allowing for that Act to come into full force.

Instead of being made wards of court, people will be able to avail of a tiered range of decision support options:

  • decision making assistants
  • co-decision makers
  • decision making representatives

The Act will also provide for advance planning in the form of:

  • enduring power of attorney (EPA)
  • advance healthcare directives

The Decision Support Service (DSS) will operate the progressive provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. The DSS was established under the 2015 Act on a limited basis the purposes of preparing for the operation of the new system. It will become fully operational and open to the public from 27 April once remaining sections of the 2015 and 2022 Acts are commenced.

Applications for decision support arrangements will be made by engagement with the Decision Support Service, with the exception of applications for Decision-Making Representatives which must be made through the Circuit Court.

Once a decision supporter is appointed, the DSS will have oversight responsibility for decision support arrangements.

Changes are being introduced to the process for making an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPAs). EPAs created under the 1996 Act will remain in force but it will only be possible to create new EPAs under the process set out in the Assisted Decision-Making Acts. This is a new two-stage process which avoids costly referrals to the High Court. An EPA, once created, will be registered with the Decision Support Service when the donor still has capacity. If and when the donor then loses capacity, notice is given to the Director of the Decision Support Service and if, following the procedure set out in the legislation, that notice is accepted, the EPA comes into effect.

Over 2,000 wards of court currently exist in the State, and each will have a review of their circumstances undertaken by the wardship court. Under the legislation wards of court will exit wardship over the next three years.

Further information on the operation of the new system can be obtained from the Decision Support Service at the DSS website here.

Measures included in the 2022 Amendment Act to further compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities include:

  • an increase in the minimum target for public sector employment, rising on a phased basis from the current 3% to 6% by 2025
  • removal of the archaic ban on “persons of unsound mind” standing for election in Dáil Éireann
  • changes in eligibility for service on a jury
  • legislating for the role of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to act national monitoring body for rights under the Convention

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2f383-minister-ogorman-and-minister-rabbitte-announce-26th-of-april-as-date-for-the-abolition-of-wardship-and-full-operationalisation-of-the-decision-support-service/

Garda Inspectorate launches its Domestic Abuse Victim Survey

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Please see press release below from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate in relation to a survey on domestic abuse. There is a link in the email below for more information and to complete the survey.

Garda Inspectorate launches its Domestic Abuse Victim Survey

The Garda Inspectorate has today launched an on-line survey to gauge how victims of domestic abuse are dealt with by the Garda Síochána. This survey is part of an on-going inspection into the effectiveness and efficiency of the Garda Síochána’s response to domestic abuse.

Deputy Chief Inspector Pauline Shields, who is leading this inspection said, “Hearing from victims and survivors of domestic abuse is an important part of our inspection. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of domestic abuse to take this opportunity to tell us about their experience with the Garda Síochána. She continued, “I want to assure people that the survey is completely anonymous and any information supplied to the Garda Inspectorate will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

The Inspectorate will refer to the results of the survey in a published report relating to this inspection.

For further information on the survey please go to the Garda Inspectorate website here or visit the gov.ie/justice website where the survey can be accessed.

 Ends

 

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

 

Adult Safeguarding Day

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Adult Safeguarding Day takes place on Friday November 11, 2022.

The event is an initiative of Safeguarding Ireland in the Republic of Ireland and is supported by the HSE – in partnership with organisations across the health, social, financial and justice sectors including the Church of Ireland.

The aim of the day is to raise a greater awareness and understanding of safeguarding in order to

1) prevent adult abuse

2) respond to adult abuse.

 

What is Safeguarding?

  • Safeguarding means putting measures in place to uphold our rights, to support our health and wellbeing, to reduce our risk of harm – and to empower us to protect ourselves.
  • Safeguarding involves ourselves, our families, services and professionals all working together to prevent and respond to adult abuse, neglect or coercive control.
  • Safeguarding means empowerment – that if we face challenges with our capacity, ability or independence our decisions are supported and respected.

The Church of Ireland has an Adult Safeguarding Policy in place since 2018 and has a zero-tolerance policy to all forms of abuse and harm.

As part of your commitment to respecting and promoting the human rights of all people, why don’t you sign up to the Safeguarding Ireland Adult Safeguarding Charter that outlines your commitment to adult safeguarding?

This voluntary Charter sets out how organisations, across a wide range of sectors, promote a culture that seeks to uphold the rights and freedoms of all people who engage with their organisations, regardless of age, race and ethnicity, religion or none, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic group, disability, or status of residency.   This Charter aims to promote a raised awareness of Adult Safeguarding and progressive realisation of the human rights of all people by all of its signatories.

The Charter will act as a visible manifestation of each organisation’s statement of intent to adult safeguarding and can be displayed by the organisation in its premises and on its website.

The Charter is available in an accessible format and organisations can download the standard version or accessible version, or both.

For more information, please contact Robert.dunne@rcbdub.org or you can find the Safeguarding Ireland website and register directly at www.safeguardingireland.org.

Anti-Slavery Week

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It’s Anti-Slavery Week

– Modern Slavery is an umbrella term that includes offences relating to human trafficking; slavery; servitude and forced labour

– Human Trafficking involves the movement of a person for the purpose of exploiting them, this could be for labour; sexual or criminal exploitation or organ harvesting.

It is an uncomfortable truth that Modern Slavery is a happening in Northern Ireland. Raising awareness of this crime and learning to spot the signs could make a big difference! For more info on spotting the signs see:

https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/news/be-vigilant-modern-day-slavery-happening-here-and-now-northern-ireland