Support Persons Training 15 th May 2013

Support Persons Training Welcome Niall Moore

Support Persons Training Prayer Colette Stevenson

Support Persons Training Programme

Support Persons Training The role of the support person Understanding where support people fit in the case management structure Practical experience of being a support person Support Services Needs analysis and group work

Support Persons Training Key times: – Coffee Break at 11:30-11:45 – Lunch – Finish at 15:30

Support Persons Training Role of the Support Person Colette Stevenson

Each Bishop or Religious Leader will appoint a Support Person to be available to those who make an allegation/disclosure of abuse.

Role of Support Person To assist, where appropriate, with communication between the complainant and the designated officer To assist in gaining access to information and help To represent their concerns during the Case management process

Clarity about role is vital Not a counsellor for the complainant and should not act in that role The Support Person should not act as Spiritual Guide for the complainant

Being attentive to the expressed needs of the Complainant the Support person should: – Encourage and support the complainant in getting suitable help – Be extra mindful of the vulnerability of the complainant during the process

The Support Person should: Consider any wishes expressed by complainant in regard to a pastoral response by the church to his or her family Be available throughout the case management process to the complainant Ensure the complainant is kept informed of developments in relation to him/her

The Support Person should: Represent the wishes and any therapeutic needs expressed to the designated person Arrange, if considered helpful, a meeting between the complainant and the Church Authority (Bishop or Congregational Leader)

Support Persons Training Where do support people fit in the Case Management Structure? Niall Moore

Case Management Training

Support Persons Training Support people can be utilised throughout the process It is our advice that the Designated Person introduces the availability of the Support Person at their initial contact with the Complainant

Support Persons Training The support person is different from the designated officer in that: – They are not responsible for the management of the case – They will not have access to case files – It is up to the complainant if they use them or not It is important that the Support Person has a good working relationship with the DO (Helen)

Standard on Support?? In the rewrite of the standards we will create a standard on support

Support Persons Training Questions

Support Persons Training Experience of Supporting People who have been abused Helen O’Riordan

Support Person A Personal Experience

November 2002 Office opens in Maynooth Role definition To whom will support be offered? How is it to be done?

Training & Communication NBSCCC Training Programme Seminars Designated Officer

Meetings with Complainants Accompany Designated Officer Offer of Pastoral Support Availability to complainant & family

Meetings with Complainants (2) DO Stay calm Listen carefully Do not ask questions Avoid display of your own reaction Explain that you will have to report to D.O. who will report to HSE & Gardai DO NOT Offer an opinion Tell stories about other similar situations Make any promises Ask leading questions Make judgements about the alleged abuser

Meetings with Complainants - awareness of difference A – no interest in meeting B – change of mind C – 1 st contact made with support person D – telephone contact E – long term contact

Meetings To Date Meetings held with 31 people 1 or 2 meetings with a few 5 or 6 meetings with others – often ending with settlement of civil claim In other cases meetings continue

Summary Designated Officer Pastoral Outreach Meeting with Bishop/Province Leader Memos

Support Persons Training BREAK

Support Persons Training Towards Healing Melissa Darmody

Towards Healing A Catholic Church Response to Clerical/Religious Abuse

Towards Healing: February 2011 Helpline Support Referral to Face to Face counselling for survivors and their families: 80 session Model Bridging Service: Advocacy Facilitated Listening Meeting Practical Workshops: Self care, assertiveness, parenting, sexuality, anger management Friendly Call Group work: Therapeutic for Survivors

Support & Child Protection  All Client are Potential Child Protection Case: Up to 12 weeks to name abuser to be reported  Reporting to the Civil Authorities  Gardai (Police) Now Central  Social Services/Social Worker

Questions & Answers

Support Persons Training Spiritual Support Service Sister Mary Whyte

Aim To offer spiritual support to assist those who have suffered sexual abuse – In catholic Institutions. – From Priests or Religious representing the catholic church. And who wish to rediscover their relationship with God And to deepen their sense of God’s presence in their lives.

What is Offered? Trained spiritual companions in different parts of the country. To support those seeking healing, peace and personal growth by reconnecting with their spiritual core.

How does it work? Contact is made with the coordinator by phone or . The coordinator listens and talks through the person’s hopes and desires, and the nature of support on offer. Together they agree on an appropriate course of action.

What Kind of Action? Continuing contact with the coordinator by phone or face to face. The seeker may opt to be put in touch with one of a panel of spiritual companions. The coordinator first contacts the potential companion giving some information with the seekers permission. The seeker is then given the companions contact details and they arrange an initial meeting. Fees for meetings are met by the Spiritual Support Service.

Support Persons Training LUNCH

Support Persons Training Group Work

Support Persons Training Questions for discussion: What have you found to be the most difficult issues in terms of dealing with complainants? What has been the most positive? What more needs to be done by the church in terms of promoting survivors services? Have you any resources that you have found useful in terms of support for survivors? What further training would you need?

Support Persons Training Evaluation

Support Persons Training Close