Safeguarding

SAFEGUARDING

Child Safeguarding Statement

High 5 Sports is a Camp co-ordinator service that deals with children of various ages. In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary camps 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of High 5 Sports 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 camps 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Anna Cousins
The Board of Management recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of camp life and must be reflected in all the camp’s policies, procedures, practices and activities. The company will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:

The camp 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 cooperate 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 encourage parental involvement in the education of their children; and
fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.

The camp will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult pupil with a special vulnerability.

4. The following procedures/measures are in place:

In relation to any member of staff who is the subject of any investigation (howsoever described) in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in respect of a child attending the camps, the camp adheres to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary camps 2017 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for camp 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 camp 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 camp-

Has provided each member of staff with a copy of the camp’s Child Safeguarding Statement
Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the camp’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 camp personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary camps 2017, including in the case of registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.

In this camp 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 registered teachers employed by the camp are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.

In accordance with the Children First Act 2015 and the Addendum to Children First (2019), the Board has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the camp or participating in camp activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the camp’s procedures for managing those risks is attached as an appendix to these procedures.

The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the camp’s website, the DES website or will be made available on request by the camp.

Note: The above is not intended as an exhaustive list. Individual Boards of Management shall also include in this section such other procedures/measures that are of relevance to the camp in question.

5. This statement has been published on the camp’s website and has been provided to all members of camp personnel, the Parents’ Association and the patron. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and the Department if requested.

6. 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.

Date Created: 05 July 2022
Created by: High 5 Sports

Last Updated: 25 October 2022

SAFEGUARDING

Child Safeguarding Statement

The camp will...

The camp will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult pupil with a special vulnerability.

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