KYW Safeguarding: A Shared Responsibility

Knockadoon Youth WeekNews UncategorizedKYW Safeguarding: A Shared Responsibility

Jan

17

KYW Safeguarding: A Shared Responsibility

Throughout this extract Knockadoon Youth Week would like to present its understanding and implementation of safeguarding as a core value of the camp, offering perspectives from the Senior Leader, Camp Manager, Catechesis Director, Youth Volunteers, and previous campers.

Senior Leader: Connor Byrne

As the Senior Leader of Knockadoon Youth Week, I’d like to share my perspective on safeguarding and the strategies we implement within our organisation to ensure that all stakeholders are protected while participating in our volunteering activities aimed at fostering youth development. In my opinion, safeguarding involves a comprehensive set of measures designed to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals—especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults—by preventing harm, abuse, and neglect. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment that promotes the dignity and welfare of all involved.

On Knockadoon Camp, I believe safeguarding is underpinned by four key elements: developing meaningful relationships, protecting individuals, providing a safe environment, and ensuring safeguarding concerns or disclosures are handled appropriately. Our safeguarding policies and procedures help us identify risks, respond to concerns, and provide clear guidance to volunteers on how to report and manage potential issues.

Examples of our Strategies:

  • We are fortunate to work closely with Mary Tallon, the Dominican Order’s Safeguarding Liaison, who has been a consistent and trusted partner in our efforts, who we not only consider a colleague but a friend. Mary’s support has allowed us to embed a culture of safeguarding across our organisation. Her regular visits to camp and commitment to delivering annual training, both for new volunteers and experienced leaders, have been instrumental in building confidence and knowledge around safeguarding practices.
  • This year, one of my first acts as Senior Leader was to appoint Niamh Lennon as Director of Child Protection, Safeguarding, and Compliance. I recognise that safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and Niamh’s role is pivotal in supporting the KYW with child protection issues, addressing safeguarding concerns, and ensuring that we remain compliant with both internal policies and external legislation. Placing the camper at the centre of our planning process.
  • As Senior Leader, maintaining appropriate child protection ratios during all activities—whether on or off camp—is critical to the safety of our participants. Activities such as bunk duty, pier jumping, and day trips are planned with these ratios in mind. A foundational principle we uphold is that no volunteer should ever be alone with a camper. This approach informs all aspects of our planning and ensures that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do at Knockadoon Youth Week.
  • Finally, as Senior Leader one of my key approaches to safeguarding is ensuring that our volunteers feel comfortable discussing the topic openly. We strive to remove any fear or hesitation around safeguarding conversations, which is why, during our annual reunion, we host a training workshop dedicated to this subject. This session encourages open dialogue, allowing volunteers to share their thoughts and experiences (on do’s and don’ts), whilst ensuring that everyone feels confident in understanding and practicing safeguarding measures.

To conclude, safeguarding is not just a policy but a fundamental part of our ethos at Knockadoon Youth Week. It’s about creating a safe and inclusive environment where every individual feels supported, valued, and protected. By fostering open conversations, providing regular training, and ensuring that safeguarding is a shared responsibility across all levels, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care for the young people who attend our camp. Our continued dedication to these practices allows us to grow as an organisation while safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.

Dominican Brother: John E. Melvin

In the modern world, it is easy to get lost amid the paperwork and procedures that are prescribed for us. Safeguarding can often fall into this category. One can become so focused on the procedures themselves that, as a consequence, one overlooks the very purpose these procedures serve. 

As a Dominican friar in formation for the priesthood, it is clear to me that safeguarding is not merely additional paperwork, but the ground upon which I can act, the foundation upon which the Gospel can be preached. The essence of the safeguarding protocol, therefore, is that of service: it is what enables the Church to act and communicate the message of Christ.

The Knockadoon Youth Weeks never lose sight of the purpose that the safeguarding protocol serves: the creation and maintaining of a safe and secure environment where young people can grow in an understanding and celebration of their faith. It also offers young people an opportunity to mature as persons, make lasting friendships and generally rejoice in all that God has given to us. 

Safeguarding is what permits Knockadoon Youth Weeks to fulfil their purpose, and the Dominican student brothers, in collaboration with the camp leaders, always recognise this purpose in the relevant procedures, such as the maintaining of appropriate protection ratios during catechesis and other camp activities, the prompt action and response in the case of a disclosure, and the pastoral care and support of the complainant.

Camp Manager: Orlaith O’Callaghan

As part of my role as Knockadoon Camp Manager and DLP, I liaise with the leaders and campers of the Knockadoon Youth Weeks to ensure a safe and fun environment for all. There are a number of ways this role manifests itself.

  • Ensuring safeguarding posters are visible in all key areas around the camp, containing both my contact details and emergency contact details;
  • Attending the opening announcement for visibility, to ensure that my role is identified to the campers and leaders at the beginning of the week;
  • Ensuring that Knockadoon Camp has up to date policies and procedures relating to safeguarding practices;
  • Ensuring Knockadoon Camp Staff are Garda Vetted;
  • Liaising with the Senior Leaders of the KYW to make sure that their volunteers are Garda Vetted and have access to the necessary documentation to do this in a timely manner;
  • Ensuring that the Knockadoon Camp Staff attend safeguarding workshops and are aware of policies and procedures in Knockadoon Camp;
  • Providing uniforms for Knockadoon Camp Staff (blue jumpers and tshirts) to help leaders and campers distinguish Camp Staff from other adults while working on camp;
  • The identification of my role in the KYW Leader Handbook, ensuring the leader team are aware of my role on camp prior to their arrival;
  • Familiarising myself with the leader team, maintaining relationships with the volunteers;
  • Attending safeguarding workshops for the leaders to listen and respond to queries;
  • Being available while on camp for consultation over issues;
  • Responding to child safeguarding concerns by following up on incident report documentation and following up on conversations with parents and campers where needed;
  • Using mealtimes as opportunities to mix with the group, both leaders and campers to have a familiarity with names and faces;
  • Ensuring the refectory (where campers eat their meals) is a safe environment and appropriately supervised at meal times;
  • Ensuring the chef and kitchen staff are aware of any allergies or dietary requirements in a timely manner;
  • Being aware of vulnerable leaders and campers, doing regular check-ins with the senior leadership team.

Youth Volunteer: Rebekah Martin

As an experienced leader involved with Knockadoon Youth Week and an active youth leader on Knockadoon Camp, I feel I have a well-rounded understanding of what child safeguarding means to me. In my opinion, safeguarding is one of the most important aspects of what keeps Knockadoon running. It’s not only about ensuring the safety of the children who come to camp but also about the strong understanding each and every one of our leaders has of safeguarding. Personally, I’ve developed a deep interest in safeguarding due to situations I’ve had to manage and my desire to ensure I’m well-educated on how to handle child safeguarding scenarios. For example, one of our safeguarding practices at Knockadoon involves ensuring that if a child needs to go to the bathroom, two leaders must accompany them. This is essential not only for the child’s safety but also for the protection of the youth leaders, which is equally important in safeguarding. If a situation arose where two safeguarding-trained leaders were with a child who disclosed they were in a difficult situation at home or being bullied, having both leaders present would provide support and a reliable witness. Ultimately, as youth leaders who have completed safeguarding training, our sole mission is to protect young people and to improve their wellbeing and outcomes.

Previous Camper: Ava McGuiness (New Leader)

I was a bit anxious heading down to Knockadoon for the first time, not knowing what to expect or really knowing anyone, but that quickly changed once I arrived at camp. From day one, it was clear that the leaders’ main priority was the campers. If any issue ever arose, we knew exactly who to approach because the designated people had been clearly identified on the first day. There was a strong bond built between the leaders and campers, which made it easy to talk to them about anything and feel reassured that they had our best interests at heart. The care and genuine interest the leaders showed towards the campers made everyone feel safe—for example, always checking how we slept, ensuring we had eaten, and making sure we were enjoying ourselves. They made sure no one was left out and that everyone always had someone to talk to. Overall, the leaders created a safe and supportive environment from the first day to the last, showing their unwavering dedication to meeting the needs of the campers, no matter the circumstances.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *