Child safeguarding statement DCCoi 2017

Child Safeguarding Statement

Name of service being provided: Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Education and Outreach services Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm (brief outline of what our service is, what we do and our commitment to safeguard children): The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) provides a dynamic programme of education and outreach activities throughout the year. These take part both in the National Design and Craft Gallery on site in Kilkenny, as well as across the county in schools and public engagement settings. The age for these activities varies but is generally from primary school going age up.

The DCCoI is committed to ensuring that all children and vulnerable persons who take part in DCCoI organised activities are provided with a safe environment in which to work, learn, experiment and play. All activities are participant centred and take the individuals needs and abilities into account. This means being age appropriate, as well as providing inclusive learning opportunities.

Risk assessment: We have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while availing of our services. Below is a list of the areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.

Risks identified and procedure in place to manage risks identified: - The DCCoI works with a large range of external contractors: we request that all contractors working with these groups under-go Garda vetting and complete child protection training. Contractors are required to renew Garda vetting and child protection training every three years.

- Washroom and toilet facilities for the National Design and Craft Gallery are external to the main workshop/event spaces: where possible parents or guardians are responsible for accompanying participants to facilities. Where this is not possible the staff member or contractor who takes on this role must be Garda vetted and have appropriate training. If this means that there is a single person left facilitating an event/workshop with a group of children/vulnerable persons, that person must also be Garda vetted and have appropriate training.

- Persons receiving first aid treatment: If a child or vulnerable person needs first aid attention for any reason, this must take place in the presence of parent/guardian or Garda vetted individual.

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Procedure: Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following policies and procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service: • • • • • • • •

Code of conduct for working with children and vulnerable persons Procedure for dealing with concerns, disclosures and allegations Procedure for reporting procedures for child protection/welfare concerns Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against workers/volunteers Procedure for recruiting, selection and management of staff/contractors Procedure for training and requirements for staff working with children/vulnerable persons Appointment of a designated liaison and deputy liaison person Garda vetting policy and procedures All procedures listed are available upon request.

Implementation We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our service is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our service. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on, or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

Signed (on behalf of the DCCoI) Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive Officer: ____________________________ Date: ___15 March 2018_______

For queries, please contact, Fiona Byrne who is the Designated Liaison Officer for the DCCoI and Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015. Email: Fiona@dccoi.ie Phone: 056 7796142 / 0864186883 [Please note Susan Holland is the Deputy Designated Liaison Officer for the DCCoI. Phone: 056 7796132/086 0473400 Email: susan@dccoi.ie]

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