Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

February 2024

Name of Organisation: Portumna Arts Group

Introduction
Shorelines Arts Festival recognises its responsibility to ensure that a safe environment is provided for all children and vulnerable adults taking part in its activities. This policy specifies how we will provide a safe environment and protect children and vulnerable adults while they are taking part in Shorelines Arts Festival events and projects.

It also aims to protect Shorelines Arts Festival committee, volunteers, workshop facilitators and artists from situations where they may feel threatened or open to suspicion or accusation.
 
Code of Behaviour for Committee, Volunteers, Workshop Facilitators and Artists
Following this code of behaviour will allow Shorelines Arts Festival committee, volunteers, workshop facilitators and artists working with children or vulnerable adults to avoid most situations in which they may be compromised.

Child-Centered Approach:

You should

• Treat all children, vulnerable adults and young people equally
• Listen to and respect children, vulnerable adults and young people
• Involve children, vulnerable adults and young people in decision making (as appropriate)
• Provide encouragement, support and praise (regardless of ability)
• Use appropriate language
• Have fun and encourage a positive atmosphere
• Offer constructive criticism when needed
• Treat all children, vulnerable adults and young people as individuals
• Respect a child’s, vulnerable adult’s or young person’s personal space
• Discuss boundaries on behaviour and related sanctions, as appropriate, with children, vulnerable adults and young people and their primary carers
• Encourage feedback from group
• Use age appropriate teaching aids and materials
• Lead by example
• Be aware of a child’s or vulnerable adult’s other commitments when scheduling rehearsals or activities
• Be cognisant of a child’s or vulnerable adult’s limitations due to a medical condition for example
• Create an atmosphere of trust
• Respect differences of ability, culture, religion, race and sexual orientation

 
Good Practice

• Make available Shorelines Arts Festival Child Protection Policy and Procedures to primary carers, children/vulnerable adults, visitors and facilitators if requested
• Be inclusive of children and vulnerable adults with special needs
• Plan and be sufficiently prepare both mentally and physically
• Report any concerns to the designated person
• Observe appropriate dress and behaviour
• Report any incidents or accidents
• Update and review policies and procedures on a regular basis
• Ensure proper supervision based on adequate ratios according to age, abilities and activities involved
• Ensure clear communication between artist and Shorelines Arts Festival committee
• Don’t be passive in relation to concerns i.e. don’t do nothing
• Don’t let a problem get out of control
• Avoid being alone with children or vulnerable adults e.g. taking them to the toilet
• Avoid taking a session on your own. If this is not possible then it should be in an open environment with the full knowledge and consent of primary carers
• Avoid if at all possible giving a lift to a child or vulnerable adult
• Maintain awareness around language and comments made. If you think that something you said may have caused offence or upset, then try to address it in a sensitive manner

Inappropriate Behaviour

• Do not allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any form
• Do not use actions or language that may cause a child or vulnerable adult to lose self-esteem or confidence
• Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with a child or vulnerable adult
• Do not hit or physically chastise a child or vulnerable adult
• Do not socialise inappropriately with children or vulnerable adults

Health and Safety

• Don’t leave children or vulnerable adults unsupervised
• Manage any dangerous materials
• Provide a safe environment

Reporting
Anna Geelan has been designated as the person to contact if there is an issue or concern about a child’s or vulnerable adult’s safety and welfare. Aoife Conneely is the Deputy DLP. It is their responsibility  to support and advise Shorelines Arts Festival Committee about policy and procedures in relation to child protection and to ensure procedures are followed.
Designated Person Anna Geelan Tel: 0872630037
Deputy Designated Person Aoife Conneely Tel: 0863471328
 
Reasonable Grounds for Concern.
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children lists the following as reasonable grounds for concern:
· Evidence, for example an injury or behaviour, that is consistent with abuse and is unlikely to have been caused in any other way;
· Any concern about possible sexual abuse;
· Consistent signs that a child is suffering from emotional or physical neglect;
· A child saying or indicating by other means that he or she has been abused;
 · Admission or indication by an adult or a child of an alleged abuse they committed;
 · An account from a person who saw a child being abused.
 
An incident record will be kept by the DLP.
The following information in relation to children and young people/vulnerable adults should be recorded:

• Suspicions
• Concerns
• Worrying Observations
• Behavioural Changes
• Disclosures
• Actions and Outcomes

Procedure for Dealing with a Disclosure

• Stay calm and listen to the child/young person/vulnerable adult. Allow him/ her enough time to say what he/she needs to say.
• Don’t use leading questions or prompt details.
• Reassure the child/young person/vulnerable adult but do not promise to keep anything secret.
• Don’t make the child/young person/vulnerable adult repeat the details unnecessarily.
• Explain to the child/young person/vulnerable adult what will happen next.

Reporting Procedures

• Actions and outcomes should be noted.
• Record all details, including the date, time, facts, and people involved in the concern or disclosure. Information recorded should be factual. Any opinions should be supported by facts.
• Inform the DLP or if unavailable the Deputy DLP.
• The most appropriate person should discuss the concern/consult with primary carers. Parents, carers or responsible adults should be made aware of a report to the HSE unless it is likely to put the child/young/person/vulnerable adult at further risk.
• The Designated Liaison Person may contact the HSE Duty Social work Department prior to making a report. Information will be shared on a strictly “need to know” basis.
• Instances of alleged abuse should be recorded on the Tusla Child Protection and Welfare Report Form available here: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/publications-and-forms/#SRP

Key Contact Details
Portumna Garda Station: 0909742060
Child And Family Agency Social Work Team: 091546235
25, Newcastle Rd., Galway (Dedicated Contact Point}
 
Confidentiality Statement
Shorelines Arts Festival Committee are committed to ensuring people’s rights to confidentiality. However, in relation to child protection and welfare we undertake that

• Information will only be shared on a “need to know” basis in order to safeguard the child/young person/vulnerable adult.
• Giving such information to others for the protection of the child/young person/vulnerable adult is not a breach of confidentiality.
• We cannot guarantee total confidentiality where the best interests of the child/young person/vulnerable adult are at risk.
• Primary carers, children, young people and vulnerable adults have a right to know if personal information is being shared and/ or a report is being made to the HSE, unless doing so could put the child/young person/vulnerable adult at risk.
• Images of a child/young person/vulnerable adult will not be used without the consent of the parent/carer. However, we cannot guarantee that cameras/videos will not be used at public performances.

Volunteer Management Policy Statement
New volunteers will be made aware of Shorelines Arts Festival code of conduct, child protection procedures and the identity and role of the Designated Liaison Person.
It is our policy that volunteers do not have unsupervised access to children/young people/vulnerable adults as per the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016.

Workshop Facilitators and Artists Policy Statement
All workshop facilitators and artists employed by Shorelines Arts Festival to work with children or vulnerable adults will be required to provide proof of Garda Vetting and to adhere to Child Protection Policy
 
Accidents Procedure

• Location of First Aid Boxes: All venues will be reviewed to determine location of first aid boxes

• Children/young people/vulnerable must be advised of risks of dangerous materials.
• Details of incidents/accidents will be recorded.

 
Implementation and Review
Shorelines Arts Festival Committee is committed to the implementation of this Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and the procedures that support our intention to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. This policy will be reviewed in February 2026 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the policy refers.

Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us.