.jpeg)
.png)
.jpg)
Child Safeguarding
The safety of young people is paramount at Waterford Youth Arts.
The safety and welfare of young people is guided by our Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Statement which underpins the safe participation of young people and children. The Policy provides for a Child Protection Officer on the team at Waterford Youth Arts to whom all protection concerns can be directed.
All staff, volunteers, leaders, artists and adults are vetted with the National Vetting Bureau.
Child Safeguarding (summary)
Waterford Youth Arts has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Statement, which is available to all. What following is a summary of the policy provisions.
Artists, practitioners, leaders, youth workers, volunteers and all engaged in relevant work at Waterford Youth Arts receive training in child protection and safeguarding procedures and are vetted with the National Vetting Bureau.
Waterford Youth Arts is committed to a child-centered approach to our work with children and young people. We undertake to provide a safe environment and experience, where the welfare and safety of the child/young person is paramount. We adhere to the provisions and guidelines for safe practice under Children First Act 2015.
Waterford Youth Arts has implemented procedures covering:
- Code of behaviour for all youth leaders;
- How to report concerns
- Confidentiality
- Recruitment and selection of youth leaders
- Support and supervision of youth leaders
- Advice, Guidance and Support
- Procedures relating to incidents and accidents
Designated person (Child protection officer)
Cathy Hanrahan
T. +353 51 879 377 (daytime) and email. cathy@waterfordyoutharts.com
Cathy is company manager at Waterford Youth Arts and as Designated person, is responsible for dealing with any issues related to child protection and welfare in the organisation. Cathy's role is to respond to any concerns that may be identified.
Deputy-designated person
Robert Browne
Robert is chair of Board of Directors of Waterford Youth Arts and can be contacted when the Designated Person is unavailable. It will be made very clear to all staff, parents / carers /responsible adults and children / young people who the designated person and the deputy are and how to contact them.
If we have concerns about the welfare of the child/young person we will:
respond to the needs of the child or young person, act in line with policy on safety, inform the primary carers 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, we will immediately ensure the safety of the child/young person and inform parents/carers/responsible adults as appropriate.
Complaints and comments procedure
Waterford Youth Arts has a complaints and comments procedure and primary carers, children/young people and staff can contact Cathy Hanrahan by post or by email: cathy@waterfordyoutharts.com post to: Waterford Youth Arts, The Arch, Barrack Street, Waterford.
Complaints/comments will be responded to within 30 days
The company manager has responsibility for directing complaints/comments to the appropriate person. Verbal complaints will be logged and responded to within 30 days.