Safeguarding Policy

SafeguardingPolicy
iBbY Ireland
c/o 11 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1
Website: www.ibbyireland.com

Contents

Foreword

Child Safeguarding statement
Code of behaviour for staff/volunteers
Reporting procedures
Confidentiality statement
Safe recruitment and selection procedures
Safe management of staff
Responsible adult involvement and sharing of information
incidences of poor practice and allegations against staff
Complaints and comments
Bibliography
Appendices

Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children and Young People in the Arts Sector
ForewordiBbY Ireland CLG is the Irish section of the International Board on Books for Young People and is part of an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together.

iBbY International’s mission is:
to promote international understanding through children’s books;
to give children everywhere the opportunity to have access to books with high
literary and artistic standards;
to encourage the publication and distribution of quality children’s books,
especially in developing countries;
to provide support and training for those involved with children and children’s
literature;
to stimulate research and scholarly works in the field of children’s literature.

iBbY Ireland’s mission is:
to promote the exchange of relevant expertise and knowledge relating to
children’s books at a national and international level;
to encourage the development of networks linking Ireland and other countries
in the area of children’s books;
to act as an information resource in relation to children’s books for writers,
publishers, arts agencies, librarians, parents/guardians, the teaching
professions and other educational interests, designers and illustrators,
government and statutory bodies.

Organisation and governance of iBbY Ireland CLG:
iBbY Ireland is a voluntary body and membership is open to any
Organisation or Individual who has an interest in and is committed to the
aims and mission of iBbY Ireland.
iBbY Ireland’s Patron are Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland and PJ Lynch picture book maker and former Luareate na nÓg. The organisation is governed by a Constitution and a board of directors.
Safeguarding Statement
We in IBBY IRELAND CLG, are committed to a child-centred approach to our work with children and young people. We undertake to provide a safe environment and experience, where the welfare of the child/young person is paramount. We will adhere to the Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children[1] by having and implementing procedures covering:

Safe recruitment, training and management/supervision of staff/volunteers2
Code of behaviour for staff/volunteers[2]
Incidents and accidents
Complaints
Reporting of suspected or disclosed abuse (See Appendix 1 for categories of abuse)
Confidentiality

[1] 1 The Child Care Act 1991 (17/1991) defines a child as a ‘person under the age of 18 years other than a person who is or has been married’ (S.2.1).

[2] 2 Staff/volunteers refers to writers/storytellers/illustrators who may do work for IBBY, also board members and interns.

3 However, work emanating from the artistic process and work of artistic content will not be censored in this way

[4] Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2017.
here to edit.

Circulation of information to staff/volunteers, writers, artists, teachers and schools on what we do and what they should expect from us, including information on policies and procedures
Allegations of misconduct or abuse by staff and/or participating artists

This policy was formally re-adopted by IBBY Ireland on the 15th January 2020
The Guidelines were and are specifically designed with the needs of artists in mind, they are intended to provide practical and useful information and be of help to artists in their work, as well as adding to good practice in the area of arts education.
They are available to download as a PDF: www.ibbyireland.com

Child Safeguarding Statement

IBBY Ireland in accordance with our Child Protection Guidelines and our legislative requirements have agreed this Child Safeguarding Statement which is binding on all staff, volunteers and/or employees. IBBY Ireland is committed to the safeguarding of children1 and ensuring that all elements of our programmes take place in safe and secure environments.
Nature of Service
IBBY Ireland form time to time supports visits and residencies by Garda Vetted writers, illustrators and storytellers to schools and libraries across the island of Ireland.
Procedures in Place to Manage Risk

We have completed an assessment of the potential for harm to children when they are participating in our programmes and attending our activities under the following headings: activities, identifying risk of harm, procedures in place to address risk of harm. The following procedures were identified in this Risk Assessment to safeguard children availing of our services:
Child Protection Guidelines and Vetting Policy which include:
• Code of Behaviour
• Guidance for Dealing with Reporting Allegations or Concerns of Abuse by staff or employees
• Recruitment procedures for new staff or WIS employees

Appointment of a Designated Liaison Person: Margaret Anne Suggs margaretanne@gmail.com

Our Child Safeguarding Statement had been prepared in accordance with the legislative requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015. This statement will be reviewed every 12 months.
Code of behaviour for staff/volunteers
Child-centred approach

Treat all children and young people equally
Use appropriate language (physical and verbal)
Treat all children and young people as individuals
Boundaries on behaviour and related sanctions, as appropriate, to be discussed with teachers/librarians/responsible adults
Have contracts/agreements with school/library/host organisation
Be aware of a child/young person’s time limitations e.g. school/exams when scheduling rehearsals/activities
Respect differences of ability, culture, religion, race and sexual orientation
Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with children/young people

Inappropriate behaviour

Do not use/allow offensive or sexually suggestive physical and/or verbal language3[3]
Do not single out a particular child/young person (for unfair favouritism, criticism, ridicule, or unwelcome focus or attention)
Do not allow/engage in inappropriate touching of any form
Do not hit or physically chastise children/young people
Do not socialise inappropriately with children/young people e.g. outside of structured organisational activities

Code of behaviour for staff/volunteers
Physical Contact

Seek consent of child/young person in relation to physical contact (except in an emergency if a child is in danger)
Avoid horseplay, inappropriate touch
Check with children/young people about their level of comfort when doing touch exercises

Health and Safety

Don’t leave children unattended or unsupervised
Manage any dangerous materials
Provide a safe environment
In the case of an accident school/library accident procedures should be followed accordingly

Reporting procedures
The Designated Liaison Person in the host organisation is the main point of contact where there is an issue or concern about any aspect of a child’s or young person’s safety and welfare. Every school /library or venue will have a Designated Liaison Person, who can be contacted by the teacher as necessary.

The Designated Liaison Person in IBBY Ireland will support and advise in the event of a concern regarding child protection and welfare. It is also their responsibility to liaise
with the Tusla or Gardaí where appropriate.

The Designated Liaison Person will deal with all disclosures, retrospective or otherwise, in accordance with IBBY Ireland policy.

The Designated Person in IBBY Ireland is Margaret Anne Suggs: margaretanne@gmail.com

The following would constitute reasonable grounds for concern:
(i) specific indication from the child or young person that s/he has been abused
(ii) an account by a person who saw the child/young person being abused
(iii) evidence, such as an injury or behaviour, which is consistent with abuse and unlikely to be caused another way
(iv) an injury or behaviour which 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, dysfunctional behaviour
(v) consistent indication, over a period of time, that a child is suffering from emotional or physical neglect

Children First: 4.3.2 (pg. 38)
If the concern is about a child you meet while working in a school/library or other venue you
do the following:

You must speak to the teacher/librarian or responsible adult
Note on recording the concern to be included (see first point on next page)

General Tusla Guidelines

Record the concern, including the date, time and people involved in the concern/disclosure and the facts (for example in an incident book). Information recorded should be factual. Any opinions recorded should be supported by facts.
Inform the Designated Liaison Person or, if unavailable, their deputy.
The most appropriate person should discuss the concern/consult with parents/carers/responsible adults.
Parents/carers/responsible adults should be told of a report to Tusla unless it is likely to put the child/young person at further risk.
The Designated Liaison Person may contact the Tusla Social Work Department for an informal consultation prior to making a report.
Information will be shared on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis (see Confidentiality Statement pg. 9).
If there are reasonable grounds for concern as outlined above, the Designated Liaison Person will contact the duty social worker in Tusla area using the standard reporting form (available from the Health Service Executive. See appendix three for sample form). Reports to the duty social worker can be made verbally initially and then followed by the standard reporting form. Reports should be made to the Health Service Executive without delay.
If the Designated Liaison Person/deputy is not available then contact the local Tusla Social Worker directly (see appendix two)
In emergencies which are out of Tusla Social Work hours then contact the Gardaí. There may be situations which threaten the immediate safety of a child/young person where it may be necessary to contact the Gardaí

Confidentiality Statement
IBBY Ireland is committed to ensuring peoples’ rights to confidentiality.
However, in relation to child protection and welfare we undertake that:

Information will only be passed on, on a ‘need to know’ basis in order to safeguard the child/young person.
Giving such information to others for the protection of a child or young person is not a breach of confidentiality.
We cannot guarantee total confidentiality where the best interests of the child or young person are at risk.
Parents/carers/responsible adults, children and young people have a right to know if personal information is being shared and/or a report is being made to Tusla, unless doing so could put the child/young person at further risk.
Images of a child/young person will not be used for any reason without the consent of the parent/carer (however, we cannot guarantee that cameras/videos will not be used at public performances).
Procedures will be put in place around the use of images of children/young people.
Procedures will be put in place for the recording and storing of information in line with our confidentiality policy.

Safe recruitment and selection procedures
Policy statement
We will ensure that our staff/volunteers are carefully selected, trained and supervised to provide a safe artistic environment for all children and young people.
It is good practice that staff/volunteers are recruited along the following lines:

There are clearly defined roles and responsibilities for every job (paid or otherwise)
No person who would be deemed to constitute a ‘risk’ will be employed
Some of the exclusions would include:
- any child related conviction
- refusal to sign application form and declaration form
- insufficient documentary evidence of identification
- concealing information on one’s suitability to working with children

All relevant staff and volunteers will be required to consent to Gardaí Vetting disclosure, and where appropriate and available, this will be sought.

Safe management of staff/volunteers
To protect staff and young people
New staff/volunteers will:

be made aware of the organisation’s code of conduct and the child protection procedures

All staff/volunteers will:

be provided with an adequate level of supervision support and review of work practice
be provided with child protection training (volunteers not available for training will be required to read an information pack on the organisation’s child protection policies and procedures)

Responsible adult involvement and sharing of information

As we are a child-centred organisation we are committed to putting the interest of the child/young person first.
To that end we will:

Work with the teacher/librarian/ responsible adult or contact Tusla/Gardaí where there is a child protection welfare concern
Work in partnership with responsible adults under the guidelines set out by our organisation to ensure the safety of their children
Have a designated contact person who is available for consultations

We undertake to:

Advise teacher/librarian/responsible adults of our child protection policy
Inform teachers/librarians/responsible adults and schools of all activities and potential activities
Issue contact/consent forms where relevant

Comply with health and safety practices
Operate child-centred policies in accordance with best practice
Ensure as far as possible that the activities are age appropriate
Encourage and facilitate teacher/ librarian/responsible adult involvement where appropriate

If we have concerns about the welfare of the child/young person we will:

Respond to the needs of the child or young person
Inform the teachers/librarians/ responsible adults on an ongoing basis unless this action puts the child or young person at further risk
Where there are child protection and welfare concerns we are obliged to pass these on to the duty social worker and, in an emergency, the Gardaí
In the event of a complaint against a member of staff/volunteer we will immediately ensure the safety of the child/young person and inform responsible adults as appropriate

Incidences of poor practice and allegations against staff

The first priority is to ensure that no child or young person is exposed to unnecessary risk
The reporting procedures such as outlined under Section 3 of these guidelines will be followed. Parents/carers/responsible adults and child/young person (age appropriate) should be informed of actions planned and taken.

The staff member/volunteer will be informed as soon as possible

(i) that an allegation has been made against him/her
(ii) of the nature of the allegation

The staff member will be given the opportunity to respond
The President will be informed as soon as possible
Any action following an allegation of abuse against an employee will be taken in consultation with Tusla and Gardaí
After consultation, President/head of organisation will advise person accused and agreed procedures will be followed
IBBY Ireland will also follow good practice and contact the Tusla team involved, acknowledging and ensuring that the concern has been received.

Complaints and comments procedures

The Board of IBBY Ireland CLG will have responsibility for dealing with directing complaints/comments and directing them to the appropriate authority.

Accidents Procedure
(This may not always be applicable, but in the event that it is the following
procedure will apply).

Outside organisations will be required to provide proof that they have public

liability insurance

Availability of first aid will be in accordance with the school/library/host organisation.
Children and young people will be advised of risks of any dangerous materials
Details of risky equipment used will be recorded and steps taken to minimise risk
Where applicable responsibility will be taken for first-aid on off-site trips.

BibliographyChildren First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, Department of Children & Youth Affairs, 2011.
Child Protection Policy and Code of Behaviour for working with children/ young people July 2011,Department of Children & Youth Affairs, 2011.
Our Duty to Care: The Principles of Good Practice for the Protection of Children and Young People, Department of Health and Children, 2002.
Appendices
Appendix One: Definitions and Reporting of Abuse[4]

Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

The definitions of neglect and abuse presented in Children First (2017) are not legal definitions. They are intended to describe ways in which a child might experience abuse and how this abuse may be recognised.

Neglect occurs when a child does not receive adequate care or supervision to the extent that the child is harmed physically or developmentally. It is generally defined in terms of an omission of care, where a child’s health, development or welfare is impaired by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, medical care, intellectual stimulation or supervision and safety.

Emotional abuse is the systematic emotional or psychological ill-treatment of a child as part of the overall relationship between a caregiver and a child. Once-off and occasional difficulties between a parent/carer and child are not considered emotional abuse. Abuse occurs when a child’s basic need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met, due to incapacity or indifference from their parent or caregiver.

Physical abuse is when someone deliberately hurts a child physically or puts them at risk of being physically hurt. It may occur as a single incident or as a pattern of incidents. A reasonable concern exists where the child’s health and/ or development is, may be, or has been damaged as a result of suspected physical abuse.

Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or arousal, or for that of others. It includes the child being involved in sexual acts (masturbation, fondling, oral or penetrative sex) or exposing the child to sexual activity directly or through pornography.
Criteria for reporting: Definitions and Thresholds

A mandated person, under the legislation is required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. The four types of abuse are described in Chapter 2 of Children First (2017).
The threshold of harm for each category of abuse at which mandated persons have a legal obligation to report concerns is outlined below.
If you are in doubt about whether your concern reaches the legal definition of harm for making a mandated report, Tusla can provide advice in this regard. You can find details of who to contact to discuss your concern on the Tusla website (www.tusla.ie). If your concern does not reach the threshold for mandated reporting, but you feel it is a reasonable concern about the welfare or protection of a child, you should report it to Tusla under this Guidance.

NEGLECT
Neglect is defined as ‘to deprive a child of adequate food, warmth, clothing, hygiene, supervision, safety or medical care’. The threshold of harm, at which you must report to Tusla under the Children First Act 2015, is reached when you know, believe or have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child’s needs have been neglected, are being neglected, or are at risk of being neglected to the point where the child’s health, development or welfare have been or are being seriously affected or are likely to be seriously affected.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE/ILL-TREATMENT
Ill-treatment is defined as ‘to abandon or cruelly treat the child, or to cause or procure or allow the child to be abandoned or cruelly treated’. Emotional abuse is covered in the definition of ill-treatment used in the Children First Act 2015.
The threshold of harm, at which you must report to Tusla under the Children First Act 2015, is reached when you know, believe or have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has been, is being, or is at risk of being ill-treated to the point where the child’s health, development or welfare have been or are being seriously affected, or are likely to be seriously affected.
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse is covered in the references to assault in the Children First Act 2015. The threshold of harm, at which you must report to Tusla under the Children First Act 2015, is reached when you know, believe or have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has been, is being, or is at risk of being assaulted and that as a result the child’s health, development or welfare have been or are being seriously affected, or are likely to be seriously affected.
SEXUAL ABUSE
If, as a mandated person, you know, believe or have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has been, is being, or is at risk of being sexually abused, then you must report this to Tusla under the Children First Act 2015.
Sexual abuse to be reported under the Children First Act 2015 [as amended by section 55 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017] is defined as an offence against the child, as listed in Schedule 3 of the Children First Act 2015. A full list of relevant offences against the child which are considered sexual abuse is set out in Appendix 3 of Children First (2017).

Appendix Two: TUSLA Social Work Contact Details

A list of Tusla social workers may be found at: http://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/contact-a-social-worker/

Appendix Three: Notification Form

A copy of the Tusla Standard Notification Form and Guidance Note can be found at: http://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/publications-and-forms/

Appendix Four: Declaration

These Guidelines will be amended as necessary in line with updates to the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children Department of Children & Youth Affairs, and any other necessary changes required to keep in line with Legislation.
The Guidelines will be presented and reviewed annually at the AGM of IBBY Ireland CLG.

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Bringing books and children together