Child Safeguarding Statement
BWE is a private company that offers language courses, placement services and family placements. In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Directors of BWE have agreed to the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document. 1.The Directors has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for guardianships as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement for BWE. 2.The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Nora Gallagher. 3.The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Ian Gallagher. 4.The Directors recognizes that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of guardianship life and must be reflected in all of the guardianship’s policies, procedures, practices, and activities. In its policies, procedures, practices, and activities, BWE will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare: BWE will: •Recognize 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 minimize 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. •Fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters. 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 in the care of BWE, we adhere to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures. •In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, BWE 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 procedures. •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 company: oHas provided each member of staff with a copy of the Child Safeguarding Statement. oEnsures all new staff are provided with a copy of the Child Safeguarding Statement. oEncourages Directors to avail of relevant training. •In relation to reporting child protection concerns to Tusla, all personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures 2017, including, in the case of any registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015. •The Directors have appointed the abovenamed 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. •In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Directors have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while in the care of BWE or participating in guardianship activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the guardianship’s procedures for managing those risks is attached as an appendix to this statement. Note: The above is not intended as an exhaustive list.
Risk Assessment
Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm This company provides services for international students during their studies in Ireland, including placement and management of host families, educational support, and welfare oversight. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children in our care by: - Maintaining a safe environment for students in host families and during interactions with guardianship personnel. - Promoting a culture of respect and protection within all aspects of our service. - Complying with all legal and regulatory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and related guidelines. - Actively identifying and mitigating risks to children’s safety. - Providing ongoing training and support for staff and host families. We have assessed potential risks of harm to children in our care and have established the following procedures to manage the risks shown in the table below: Detailed Procedures for Child Safeguarding 1. Procedure for the Management of Allegations of Abuse or Misconduct Against Workers or Volunteers: - Establish a clear and confidential reporting structure for allegations. - Investigate all allegations promptly and thoroughly in line with legal obligations. - Cooperate fully with statutory authorities, including Tusla and An Garda Síochána. - Provide appropriate support to any child affected by allegations of abuse or misconduct. - Ensure appropriate measures are taken regarding the accused while ensuring fairness and due process. 2. Procedure for the Safe Recruitment and Selection of Workers and qVolunteers, Including Garda Vetting: - Conduct Garda vetting for all personnel working with children. - Verify references and employment history as part of a rigorous selection process. - Use structured interviews to assess candidates’ suitability for working with children. - Require all personnel to sign agreements to adhere to safeguarding policies and codes of conduct. 3. Procedure for the Provision of and Access to Child Safeguarding Training and Information: - Deliver mandatory safeguarding training to all staff and provide host families with a detailed handbook upon onboarding. - Organize regular refresher courses to maintain high standards of awareness and competence for staff. - Provide access to updated safeguarding materials and resources, including Tusla’s guidance documents for staff. - Monitor compliance with training requirements and maintain records of completion. 4. Procedure for Reporting Child Protection or Welfare Concerns to Tusla: - Appoint a designated person responsible for managing reports of concerns. - Ensure that concerns are documented accurately and submitted to Tusla in a timely manner. - Follow the standard reporting protocol outlined in Children First: National Guidance. - Provide feedback to staff or families who raise concerns to ensure transparency and confidence in the process. 5. Procedure for Maintaining a List of Mandated Persons: - Identify all staff and volunteers who are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015. - Maintain an up-to-date list of mandated persons with roles and contact information. - Provide training to mandated persons to ensure they understand and fulfill their statutory responsibilities. - Regularly review and update the list to reflect changes in personnel. 6. Procedure for Appointing a Relevant Person to Ensure Compliance with Safeguarding Obligations: - Designate a Relevant Person to oversee the implementation of safeguarding policies. - Provide the Relevant Person with appropriate authority and resources to fulfill their role. - Clearly communicate the identity and contact information of the Relevant Person to all stakeholders. - Monitor the Relevant Person’s activities to ensure compliance with safeguarding obligations. 7. Procedure for Addressing Online Safety Concerns and Ensuring Safe Digital Interactions: - Develop an online safety policy tailored to the needs of students and handbook for host families. - Monitor online communications and ensure secure platforms are used for student interactions. - Train staff and host families on best practices for online safety. - Encourage the reporting of any online safety concerns or incidents and respond promptly.
