Governance
Child Safeguarding Statement
1. Name of service being provided:
Clondalkin Behavioural Initiative CLG T/A Archways.
2. Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm
Archways Vision is:
‘We work towards an Ireland where children and families experiencing challenges have the capacity to create lasting positive change in their lives, with access to timely, high-quality support programmes. We do this by affecting real and lasting change for children and families experiencing behavioural, social, and emotional issues. We do this by developing and scaling up evidence-based and innovative national solutions and interventions that support families to realise their potential. We undertake all necessary steps to ensure that we safeguard children from harm through our staff recruitment, training, policies, and procedures.’
3. Risk Assessment
We have assessed any potential for harm to a child while availing of our services including the area of online safety when accessing the internet. Appendix 1 outlines a list of the areas of risk identified and the procedures for managing these risks.
4. Procedures
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice.
In addition to our Risk Assessment, our Child Protection Policy contains the following to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:
- Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against employees of a child availing of our service.
- Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of employees and volunteers to work with children.
- Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.
- Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla.
- Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons who are mandated.
- Procedure for appointing a relevant person.
All these procedures listed are detailed in our Child Protection Policy and available to view.
5. Implementation
We recognise that implementation is an on-going process. Archways 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 1st July each year, or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.
6. Key Contacts
- Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Name: Alice Ann Lee
- Deputy DLP Name: Stephen Coughlan
- Relevant Person Name: Hugh Doogan
Archways Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
Appendix 1: In accordance with Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015, the following is the written Risk Assessment of Archways:
| List of Activities | Identified risk of harm in respect of Activities | The following procedures are in place to address the risks of harm identified |
|---|---|---|
| Group-Based Programmes Training Peer Support Learning Networks | Parents/participants may disclose inappropriate disciplinary practices or incidents of harm caused to a child. Disclosure made by practitioners at session regarding their interaction with a child or family. | Programmes are designed to improve parenting/professional practices and provide the tools and strategies they need to cope with challenging situations. Facilitators have Children First training and Garda Vetted and understand what to do if a disclosure is made. Follow the procedures as outlined in the Child Safeguarding Statement. Participants are given a copy of our Child Safeguarding Statement before training so they are aware that what is shared in the group is confidential except regarding a child welfare concern and that action will be taken to protect all children and ensure their safety and wellbeing. Facilitators/staff are fully trained in programmes they are delivering. |
| One-to-One Programmes & Supports Families First Systemic Family Support Ante & Post-Natal MACE Supports Infant Massage ParentChild+ | Facilitator may have concerns about participants ability to cope and/or their mental health. Travel Working Alone Children are sometimes present during parental meeting. Facilitator/staff may witness parent harming child, an incident or behaviour of concern. Child may make a disclosure. Parent may disclose domestic violence from their spouse or child abuse. | Programmes are designed to improve practices and provide the tools and strategies they need to cope with challenging situations. Facilitators/staff have Children First training and Garda Vetted and understand what to do if a disclosure is made. Follow the procedures as outlined in the Child Safeguarding Statement. Participants are given a copy of our Child Safeguarding Statement before training so they are aware that what is shared in the group is confidential except regarding a child welfare concern and that action will be taken to protect all children and ensure their safety and wellbeing. Facilitators/staff are fully trained in programmes they are delivering. Meet families in office, public spaces, or when children are at school. Alert office when such visits are taking place in the home and ring referrer to confirm when leaving or concluding visits. Facilitators/staff never left alone with any baby/babies. Parents are asked to keep child partially clothed during session (e.g., wearing a nappy). Staff follow family risk management plans. Off-site Activity verbal risk assessment completed with line manager and external waivers to be signed by young person and/or child |
| Online Sessions | Online Sessions may highlight a child neglected harmed or abused. | Access to online groups restricted to pre-registered attendees. Parents are asked not to take pictures or screenshots of other babies or parents while attending an Online Session. |
| Events Halloween Crafts Graduation Events Fun Days | Potential for team member to observe child being harmed or behaviour of concern. Potential for member of the public to access or harm child. Adult or child may disclose child protection concerns. | Suitable venue selected for event where children can be suitably supervised. Parents attend with children. Facilitators/staff have Children First training and Garda Vetted and understand what to do if a disclosure is made. |
| Record Keeping & Sharing | Risk of harm to a child or young person from records being breached. Children have a right to access all Children First reports when they are 18 years - 23 years. Concern of breach of GDPR that could cause further harm to the young person. | Archways have clear procedures in relation to record keeping of all child protection and welfare reports. Records are kept securely and are processed in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018. When a young adult requests access the reports about themselves as a child, we will share these as per Freedom of Information Act. Full informed consent is received from the caregiver. Staff have completed GDPR training. Staff follow Data Protection Policy and guidelines. |
| Recruitment | Risk of harm to a child or young person from an unsuitable person being allocated to support them. | Archways Staff Handbook outlines the procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of staff. Archways practice complies with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016. All Contracts of Employment are offered subject to Garda Vetting. Employment will not commence until the vetting process has been completed. |
Important Note: It should be noted that risk in the context of this Risk Assessment, is the risk of “harm” as defined in the Children First Act 2015 and not general health and safety risk.
Get in Touch
info@archways.ie
PHONE
+353 1 457 4306