Safeguarding
Our aim is to create and promote a safe environment for children, young people and leaders. We believe that next to proclaiming God’s Word and the love of Jesus, nothing could be more important than keeping our children and young people safe.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) have a 'Safeguarding' team, which advises and resources local congregations to provide a safe environment for children, young people, adults and leaders. Full details of the provisions can be found here.
The programme is an integral part of all the children and youth work conducted at Muckamore Presbyterian Church. All leaders and helpers, over the age of 18, working with children 0–18 yrs are vetted through Access NI and PCI. If you are a new leader needing an AccessNI check please click here. Training is also mandatory and is undertaken by the Safeguarding Trainers in PCI every 3 years.
Our child protection policies are available for inspection on church noticeboards, and we have a designated person who can be contacted for further information.
Boys’ Brigade & Girls' Brigade
Leaders are nominated and approved by MPC and appointed by the Brigade Headquarters. Leaders are therefore jointly accountable to MPC and to the Brigade Leadership.
Designated Personnel
All of our designated personnel have been appointed (2022) by the elders to assist our ministries and organisations if a safeguarding concern arises, and acts as an appropriate 'sign post' to record, report and respond to suitable statutory bodies.
In light of the PCI Safeguarding Review, the elders have agreed that a Safeguarding Team will be formed to support our Designated Personnel in delivering robust measures for leadership appointment, distribution of application forms for vetting, and keep up to date with training opportunities and policy updates.
Safeguarding Review 2025/2026
With the significant events during November 2025 as the PCI made an announcement acknowledging failures in its central administration function in respect of safeguarding, we want to assure our church family and community that we will continue to do everything possible to provide a safe environment for our ministries and for all people who attend our church and organisations.
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Please follow the links below to read statements and releases from Assembly Buildings and Muckamore Kirk Session that have been delivered to our church family:
