Child Safeguarding Statement June 2017 Document Control Developed by: Date: Origination: Authorisation Document Review History Date: Reviewed by: Documented Version date Next day for amended: Y/N saved as: review The Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. We change the lives of all children in Ireland by making sure that their rights are respected and protected in our laws, policies and services. Irish Primary Principals Network 22q11 Irish Refugee Council Ag Eisteacht Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU) Alcohol Action Ireland Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Alliance Against Cutbacks in Education Irish Traveller Movement Amnesty International Ireland Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) An Cosán Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation ASH Ireland Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice Assoc. for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD) Jigsaw Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership ATD Fourth World – Ireland Ltd Law Centre for Children and Young People Atheist Ireland Lifestart National Office Autism Network Ireland Mental Health Reform Barnardos Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Barretstown Camp Mounttown Neighbourhood Youth and Family Project Bedford Row Family Project MyMind BeLonG To Youth Services National Childhood Network Care Leavers’ Network National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers (NOTA) Catholic Guides of Ireland National Parents Council Post Primary Child Care Law Reporting Project National Parents Council Primary Childhood Development Initiative National Youth Council of Ireland Children in Hospital Ireland One Family COPE Galway One in Four Cork Life Centre Parentstop Crosscare Pavee Point Cybersafe Peter McVerry Trust Dental Health Foundation of Ireland Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, UCC Realt Beag Disability Federation of Ireland SAFE Ireland Down Syndrome Ireland Saoirse Housing Association Dublin Rape Crisis Centre SAOL Beag Children’s Centre Dun Laoghaire Refugee Project Scouting Ireland Early Childhood Ireland School of Education UCD Educate Together Sexual Violence Centre Cork EPIC Simon Communities of Ireland EQUATE Social Care Ireland Extern Ireland Society of St. Vincent de Paul Focus Ireland Sonas Domestic Violence Charity Foróige Special Needs Parents Association Future Voices Ireland SpunOut.ie Gaelscoileanna Teo St. Nicholas Montessori College GLEN- the LGBTI equality network St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association Immigrant Council of Ireland St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services Inclusion Ireland Step by Step Child & Family Project Independent Hospitals Association of Ireland Suas Educational Development Institute of Community Health Nursing Teachers' Union of Ireland Institute of Guidance Counsellors Terenure Rugby Football Club Irish Association for Infant Mental Health The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children Irish Association of Social Workers The Prevention and Early Intervention Network Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway The UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Traveller Visibility Group Ltd Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Treoir Irish Foster Care Association UNICEF Ireland Irish Girl Guides youngballymun Irish Heart Foundation Youth Advocate Programme Ireland (YAP) Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) Youth Work Ireland Irish Penal Reform Trust Children’s Rights Alliance 7 Red Cow Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Ireland Ph: +353 1 662 9400 Email: [email protected] www.childrensrights.ie © 2017 Children’s Rights Alliance – Republic of Ireland Limited The Children’s Rights Alliance is a registered charity – CHY No. 11541 Table of Contents Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................. 3 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Statement of Policy ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.2 Scope of Policy ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Key Principles of the Safeguarding Statement ................................................................................... 4 1.4 Statement of Risk ............................................................................................................................... 5 2. Definitions of Child Abuse ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Neglect .............................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Emotional Abuse ................................................................................................................................ 6 2.3 Physical Abuse ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Sexual abuse ....................................................................................................................................... 6 3. Recognising Child Abuse ............................................................................................................................ 7 3.1 Guidelines for Recognition ................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Reasonable Grounds for Concern ...................................................................................................... 7 4. Safeguarding Children and Reporting ....................................................................................................... 8 4.1 General Procedures for Safeguarding Children ................................................................................. 8 4.2 Reporting Alleged/Suspected Abuse.................................................................................................. 8 4.3 Guiding Principles ............................................................................................................................. 11 4.4 Confidentiality .................................................................................................................................. 11 4.5 Designated Officer ........................................................................................................................... 11 5. Procedure for Allegations against Employees ......................................................................................... 13 5.1 Reporting Alleged/Suspected Abuse by an Employee/Volunteer/Intern ........................................ 13 6. Safe Recruitment and Training ................................................................................................................ 14 6.1 Safe Recruitment .............................................................................................................................. 14 6.2 Training and Supports ...................................................................................................................... 14 7. Appendices .............................................................................................................................................. 16 7.1 Appendix 1: Types of Child Abuse and Symptoms of Abuse ............................................................ 16 7.2 Appendix 2: Child Protection Reporting Form ................................................................................. 25 7.3 Appendix 3: Alliance Parental Consent Form ................................................................................... 27 7.4 Appendix 4: Risk Assessment Form for Suspension ......................................................................... 28 7.5 Appendix 5: Guidelines for Responding to Disclosures ................................................................... 29 7.6 Appendix 6: Children’s Rights Alliance Data Protection Policy ........................................................ 30 7.7 Appendix 7: Contact Details for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency .............................................. 32 7.8 Appendix 8: Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment Template............................................................ 40 7.9 Appendix 9: Code of Behaviour between Alliance Staff Members and Children ............................ 41 3 1. Introduction 1.1 Statement of Policy The Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 organisations working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. We improve the lives of all children and young people by ensuring Ireland’s laws, policies and services comply with the standards set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The aim and purpose of this Policy is to safeguard children, young people, families and staff. The Children’s Rights Alliance Child Safeguarding Statement is a guidance document for Children’s Rights Alliance staff in identifying and responding to allegations and suspicions of child abuse or neglect. The document is based on and adheres to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, (henceforth the National Guidance) published in 2011 and the Children First Act 2015. This Safeguarding Statement is displayed prominently on the Children’s Rights Alliance website and in the Children’s Rights Alliance offices. Please refer to the Staff Handbook for information on other Alliance policies and procedures. 1.2 Scope of Policy The Alliance adheres to the Children First Act 2015 and Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child’s definition of a child as anyone below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier. The Safeguarding Statement applies to;  all staff of the Children’s Rights Alliance  interns  volunteers  Board members The Child Safe Guarding Statement applies when working in the Alliance offices and while representing the Alliance at other venues. 1.3 Key Principles of the Safeguarding Statement The following principles underpin the Child Safeguarding Statement:  The welfare and best interests of children are of paramount importance. The Alliance is committed to respecting the right to dignity and bodily integrity of every child and to protecting those rights in line with the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as articulated in Articles 2, 3 and 6.  All Alliance staff members have a responsibility to protect children and therefore have a duty to report child abuse as set out in the Children First Act 2015 and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011). 4  The Alliance fully accepts and endorses the Children First Act and the Children First Guidance and encourages its member organisations to develop child protection policies in line with the legislation and endorsing Children First Guidance.  The Alliance will not knowingly engage with any person, organisation or fund any project that poses a risk to children or that does not meet the child protection and safeguards outlined in the Children First Act and the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011).  The Alliance upholds and is guided by the principles of the UNCRC and, in this regard, is committed to ensuring that all children with whom staff members have contact are treated equally and that all children have a right to voice their opinion in matters affecting them (Articles 2, 12 and 13).  The Alliance ensures that staff receives the appropriate training in child protection and welfare.  Alliance recruitment policy adheres to best practice and the Alliance ensures that all staff are vetted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU).  Interns working with children and young people will be vetted by the GCVU or will work alongside an Alliance member of staff who has been vetted by the GCVU.  Anyone contracted on a consultancy basis to work on projects that involve contact with children will be vetted by the GCVU or will work alongside an Alliance member of staff who has been vetted by the GCVU. 1.4 Statement of Risk The Children’s Rights Alliance maintains a Risk Register that contains a statement of risk in relation to child safeguarding and child protection. The Children’s Rights Alliance does not usually work directly with children in its day-to-day activities, but does engage with children on an occasional basis as well as liaise with organisations that work directly with children. The Children’s Rights Alliance frequently responds to allegations of abuse made by individuals. The Child Safeguarding Statement identifies procedures to follow to mitigate risks that may present in the following identified scenarios:  Where children are working in the Alliance’s offices (as volunteers or interns) or children present in the offices for other reasons (such as the children of staff members);  Where children are at events in which Alliance staff (for the purpose of the Safeguarding Statement to include volunteers, interns and Board members) participate; and  Where allegations/suspicions of abuse made to Alliance staff by telephone, email, and letter or in person. 5 2. Definitions of Child Abuse The Children’s Rights Alliance Child Safeguarding Statement is informed by the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (henceforth the National Guidance) document. The Alliance recognises that child abuse falls into four main categories as identified in the National Guidance. These are neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. For detailed definitions and examples of these types of abuse, please refer to Appendix 1: Types of Child Abuse and Symptoms of Abuse. 2.1 Neglect Neglect can be defined in terms of an omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, and/or medical care. Harm can be defined as the ill-treatment or the impairment of the health or development of a child. Whether it is significant is determined by the child’s health and development as compared to that which could reasonably be expected of a child of similar age. 2.2 Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between a parent/carer and a child rather than in a specific event or pattern of events. It occurs when a child’s developmental needs for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met. Unless other forms of abuse are present, it is rarely manifested in terms of physical signs or symptoms. 2.3 Physical Abuse Physical abuse of a child is that which results in actual or potential physical harm from an interaction, or lack of interaction, which is reasonably within the control of a parent or person in a position of responsibility, power or trust. There may be single or repeated incidents. 2.4 Sexual abuse Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or sexual arousal, or for that of others. 6 3. Recognising Child Abuse 3.1 Guidelines for Recognition It can be difficult to recognise the signs and symptoms indicating that a child has suffered neglect or abuse. Moreover in the case of neglect, a distinction can be made between ‘wilful’ and ‘circumstantial’ neglect. For a detailed description of the signs, symptoms and characteristics of abuse please refer to Appendix 1: Types of Child Abuse and Symptoms of Abuse. There are commonly three stages in the identification of child neglect or abuse. If an Alliance staff member has identified the possibility that a child with whom they are in contact has suffered abuse (with or without disclosure by the child or a third party) then the following stages will normally occur. 1. considering the possibility; 2. looking out for signs of neglect or abuse; and 3. recording of information. 3.2 Reasonable Grounds for Concern Where an Alliance member of staff has reasonable grounds for concern (see below) that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected, then the staff member(s) with delegated responsibility (see 3.3 Designated Officer) must report their concerns to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency (see Appendix 2, Child Protection Reporting Form). Anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect should inform the parents/carers if a report is to be submitted to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána, unless doing so is likely to endanger the child. A suspicion that is not supported by any objective indication of abuse or neglect would not constitute a reasonable suspicion or reasonable grounds for concern. Grounds for Concern include:  a specific indication from the child that he or she was abused;  an account by a person who saw the child being abused;  evidence, such as an injury or behavior, that is consistent with abuse and unlikely to be caused in another way;  an injury or behavior that is consistent both with abuse and with an innocent explanation, but where there are corroborative indicators supporting the concern that it may be a case of abuse. An example of this would be a pattern of injuries, an implausible explanation, other indications of abuse and/or dysfunctional behavior; and  consistent indication, over a period of time, that a child is suffering from emotional or physical neglect. 7 4. Safeguarding Children and Reporting 4.1 General Procedures for Safeguarding Children It should be noted that the Children’s Rights Alliance does not usually work directly with children in its day- to-day activities, but does engage with children on an occasional basis (for example as office-based volunteers or interns) as well as liaise with organisations that work directly with children. The following procedures are adhered to on occasions when Alliance staff/volunteers/interns engage with children at events or while working with or meeting with children in the Alliance offices.  The Alliance endeavors to ensure that individual staff members are not left alone with a child at an event or in the Alliance offices. However, this may not always be feasible and the Alliance ensures that, on all occasions, an appropriate balance is maintained between meeting the needs of the child, and the discharging of our professional responsibilities.  When children and young people are part of any project, service or work staff members will complete a written assessment of risk outlining measures to manage any identified risk in line with the Children First Act 2015. This will be done prior to engaging with children and young people (see Appendix 8).  On all occasions when the Alliance runs an event involving children, a parental consent form (Appendix 3) will be forwarded to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each child and formal permission will be sought and obtained for their child to attend and participate in the event. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be responsible for bringing and collecting their child from any Alliance events unless otherwise stated.  When the Alliance hosts events that involve the participation of children, any supervision of children carried out by Alliance staff, volunteers and interns will be done at a ratio of no more than five children per adult. 4.2 Reporting Alleged/Suspected Abuse The following procedures apply to all Alliance staff members who engage in work involving contact with children or to whom allegations or suspicions of child abuse are made. These procedures are also appropriate in the case of anonymous reports, or reports from adults who experienced childhood abuse. The same procedures also apply in relation to reporting allegations of abuse made against an Alliance employee (see Section 5, Reporting Alleged/Suspected Abuse by An Employee/Volunteer/Intern) volunteer or intern. For additional information and guidance, see Appendix 5, Guidelines for Responding to Disclosures The following steps must be adhered to by the Alliance staff member reporting an allegation or disclosure of abuse. These steps apply to a disclosure made in person, in writing (post or email) or by telephone. 8 Steps for Reporting an Allegation or Disclosure of Abuse Staff are obliged to report any allegation, concern, suspicion or disclosure of abuse or neglect Staff members will not guarantee confidentiality to anyone (including Alliance member organisation staff) alleging, reporting or disclosing abuse or neglect, unless by doing so, it exposes a child or puts a child at risk of harm Alliance staff will guarantee that professional confidentiality is maintained at all times and that identifying information shared with statutory agencies is done so in confidence. Any allegation, concern, suspicion or disclosure of abuse or neglect is reported to the Designated Officer (Chief Executive) The contact details of the Designated Officer may be given to the person alleging or disclosing abuse if they request it. The Designated Officer or delegated staff member will determine whether it is appropriate or not to make a formal report. In such a case, the Designated Officer or delegated staff member may discuss their concerns with the Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in advance of making a formal report. Notes are taken using the Child Protection Reporting Form (Appendix 2) detailing as much information as possible. The notes are emailed to the Designated Officer, who must be informed immediately of the concern. 9 The Designated Officer or delegated staff member reports to the appropriate Tusla Child and Family Agency Office by telephone and by email. A request is made of the appropriate Tusla contact to send an email to the Designated Officer or delegated staff member acknowledging receipt of the report The Designated Officer will identify if any follow-up reporting is necessary. Steps for Reporting an Allegation or Disclosure of Abuse Outside of Office Hours If an allegation or disclosure is made to an Alliance staff member outside of normal office hours, or outside of the Alliance offices, then it is the responsibility of the individual to contact the Designated Officer immediately. If a report is made outside of office hours, and Tusla Children and Family Services cannot be contacted, the Designated Officer or delegated staff member will contact An Garda Siochána. If the Designated Officer cannot be contacted, then that individual must assess the risk (for example, if it seems that a child is facing an immediate risk) and make an immediate referral to the Tusla Children and Family Services or (if a report is made outside of office hours) to An Garda Siochána Follow-up contact with Tusla Children and Family Services the next morning (or Monday morning if it happens on Friday evening). 10