Finglas Community Training Centres Child Safeguarding Statement
Finglas CTC is providing education to Learners from aged 15 to 21 years of age.
In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Addendum to Children First (2019), the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of Finglas CTC has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
- The Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
- The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Conor Sludds
- The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) is Paul Meagher
- The Board of Management recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of Centre life and must be reflected in all of the Centres ’s policies, procedures, practices and activities. In its policies, procedures, practices and activities, the Centre will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:
The centre will:
- Recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations
- Fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children
- Fully co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters
- Adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and protect workers from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect
- Develop a practice of openness with parents and guardians and encourage involvement in the education of their children
- Fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters
The Centre will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult Learner with a special vulnerability.
The following procedures/measures are in place:
In relation to any member of staff who is the subject of any investigation in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in respect of a child attending the centre, the centre adheres to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for centre staff which are published on the DES website.
In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, the centre adheres to the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 and to the wider duty of care guidance set out in relevant Garda vetting and recruitment circulars published by the DES and available on the DES website.
In relation to the provision of information and, where necessary, instruction and training, to staff in respect of the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act) the centre:
- has provided each member of staff with a copy of the centre ’s Child Safeguarding Statement
- ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the centre’s Child Safeguarding Statement
- encourages staff to avail of relevant training
- encourages Board of Management members to avail of relevant training
- The Board of Management maintains records of all staff and Board member training
In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all Centre personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017, including in the case of registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.
In Finglas CTC the Board has appointed the above named DLP as the “relevant person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the child safeguarding statement.
- All staff employed by the centre are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.
- In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the centre has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the centre or participating in centre activities.
- A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the centres procedures for managing those risks is available on request from the office.
- The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the CDETB website, the DES website or will be made available on request by the centre.
- This statement has been published on the Finglas CTC website and has been provided to all members of centre personnel. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tulsa and the Department if requested.
- This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed annually or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this statement refers.
This Child Safeguarding Statement was adopted by the Board of Management on 18th October 2023.
This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the Board of Management on 18th October 2023
Signed: _________________________ Signed: ___________________________
Chairperson of Board of Management Manager/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: 18th October 2023 Date: 18th October 2023
Learner Safeguarding Risk Assessment for Finglas CTC
In accordance with section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 and with the requirement of Chapter 8 of the Learner Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Centres 2017, the following is the Written Risk Assessment of Finglas CTC.