CRC Child Safeguarding Statement

CRC Child Safeguarding Statement

This Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed with due regard to, and in accordance with, the Children First Act 2015, Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), HSE Guidance on Developing a Child Safeguarding Statement and Guidance issued by Tusla, Child and Family Agency.

CRC

CRC is a national voluntary organisation for children and adults with disabilities and their families. CRC provides medical, therapy, family support, educational and specialist services for children 0-18 years with a range of disabilities on a national, regional and local basis.

Every staff member has a responsibility and duty of care to ensure that child and young person attending our service are safe and protected from harm. Policies and procedures have been developed to promote safe environments for children and young people; to mitigate the potential for risk to arise and to manage it safely where it does. The policies and procedures outlined in this Child Safeguarding Statement apply to all staff (employees, students, trainees, volunteers, contractors and any other person) performing any role of function in, or on behalf of the CRC.

Principles to safeguard children from harm:

  • CRC is committed to protecting and safeguarding the welfare of all children. The safety, welfare and protection of children is of paramount importance and concern.
  • CRC is committed to preventing abuse, neglect or harm happening to children or young people in its service. The CRC is mindful that children with disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse.
  • Children have a right to be protected and to be treated with respect. It is important that children are listened to, are heard and have their views taken into consideration.
  • CRC is aware that parents/guardians have the primary responsibility for the welfare of their children. Support, encouragement and respect for parents are a key feature. Parents should be consulted and involved in matters that concern their family. A proper balance must be struck between protecting children and respecting the rights and needs of parents/carers and families. Where there is conflict, the child’s welfare must come first.
  • CRC aims to promote a culture that fosters the welfare of children and the prevention of abuse and harm. Our policy declaration applies to all staff, volunteers, board members and students on work placements within CRC. Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare in the CRC is everyone’s responsibility.
  • Our policy and procedures to safeguard children and young people reflect national policy and legislation and are underpinned by ‘Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children’ 2017, ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary & Post-Primary Schools 2017’ and the Children’s First Act 2015.

The following CRC policies and procedures support our intention to safeguard children availing of CRC services:

  • CRC Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.
  • Risk Management Policy to assess and manage any risk of harm.
  • CRC Incident Management Framework to inform CRC management of any incident where a child
    has been harmed while availing of the service.
  • Trust in Care Policy and related procedures to investigate an allegation made against a staff member.
  • Recruitment policies to ensure the selection and recruitment of staff and volunteers who are suitable to work with children, including Garda vetting.
  • ‘An Introduction to Children First’ eLearning is mandatory training for all CRC staff.
  • CRC ICT Acceptable Usage Policy.
  • CRC Working Safely with Children Policy.
  • Procedure for appointing a Relevant Person (see named person below).
  • CRC Code of Standards and Behaviour.
  • CRC Management of Behaviours that Challenge Policy.
  • CRC Use of Restraints and Restrictive Practices Policy and Procedure.
  • CRC Data Protection Policy.

This Safeguarding Statement was informed by a risk assessment identifying any potential for harm to
children while availing of our services. Below is a list of the areas of risk identified and the list of
procedures for managing these risks.

  1. Risk of harm to children with a disability, children with disabilities are recognised as being more vulnerable to abuse.
  2. Risk of harm to a child by a staff member.
  3. Risk of harm to a child due to a child protection or welfare concern not being recognised or
    reported by a staff member.
  4. Risk of harm to a child from a service user (adult or child), visitor or member of the public (includes online risk).
Risk identifiedList existing control measures
1. Risk of harm to children with a disability, children with disabilities are recognised as being more vulnerable to abuse.Child and Adult Safeguarding Committee.

 

CRC Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.

All staff and volunteers complete HSEland e-Learning programme ‘An Introduction to Children First’.

CRC supports family centred practice. Family centred practice is a foundation principle for PDS and CDNTs.

CRC advocates for support for families of children with disabilities.

CRC works collaboratively, in the best interest of the child, with other organisations supporting children and families with disabilities.

CRC recognises that early intervention with children with disabilities is best practice.

CRC refers to and engages with HSE Disability Services for support for families of children with disabilities i.e. Home Care Packages and Respite Care.

CRC refers to and engages with Tusla’s, Meithael and Family Support Services.

StaySafe programmes in CRC Schools.

Schools Curriculum includes Social, Personal Health and Education (SPHE) and Relationship, Sexuality and Education (RSE)

2. Risk of harm to a child by a staff memberCRC Recruitment and Selection Policy, including Garda vetting.

 

CRC Working Safely with Children Policy.

CRC Volunteer Procedure and Policy.

CRC Code of Behaviour for staff.

CRC Social Media Policy.

CRC Use of Restraints and Restrictive Practices Policy and Procedure.

Trust in Care Policy.

CRC Disciplinary Policy and Procedures.

Professional standards for health and social care staff& teachers.

Professional registration for health and social care staff& teachers.

3. Risk of harm to a child due to a child protection
or welfare concern not being recognised or reported by a staff member.		Child and Adult Safeguarding Committee.

 

CRC Child Safeguarding Policy & Procedure.

Staff onboarding and induction processes includes Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.

All staff and volunteers complete HSEland e-Learning programme ‘An Introduction to Children First’.
‘CRC Child Safeguarding, Information for Staff and Volunteers’ leaflet available.

DLPs in place for all CRC services and sites.

DLPs and Deputy DLP in place for CRC Schools.

DLP Group established to provide support and promote best practice.

Mandated Person made aware of their legal obligations.

DLP Posters with the names, photograph, and contact name of the relevant DLP on display in all sites.

4. Risk of harm to a child from a service user (adult or child), visitor or member of the public (includes online risk).CRC Management of Behaviours that Challenge Policy

 

CRC Adult Safeguarding Policy

CRC Working Safely with Children Policy

CRC Incident Management Policy

Notices in Waiting Areas advising parents that children should be supervised by an appropriate adult.

The CRC is committed to the implementation of the Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our service. We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in April 2025 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers

Click here for CRC Child Safeguarding Statement 2024 PDf file