Child Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Me and The Moon is a registered limited company providing process art workshops, art parties, pop-up events and art camps for children aged 1 to 12 years. Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming environment for young people to feel comfortable and thrive creatively.

Management Structure

David Fortune (Director) and Sheena Fortune (Director), oversee a team of Art Teachers, Artist Professionals and Art Assistants in facilitating workshops for children of all ages.

Commitment To Safeguard Children From Harm

  • Me and The Moon is committed to safeguarding the children in our care and to providing a safe environment in which they can play, learn and develop.

  • Me and The Moon believes that the welfare of the children attending our service is paramount. We are committed to child-centred practice in all our work with children.

  • We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person who attends our service, including the rights to be kept safe and protected from harm, listened to, and heard.

  • 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, the Tusla Children First - Child Safeguarding Guide 2017, and the Children First Act 2015.

  • Our policy declaration applies to all paid staff, volunteers, committee/ board members and students on work placement within our organisation. All committee board members, staff, volunteers and students must sign up to and abide by the policies, procedures and guidance encompassed by this policy declaration and our child safeguarding policy and accompanying procedures.

  • We will review our child safeguarding statement and accompanying child safeguarding policies and procedures every 2 years or sooner if necessary, due to service issues or changes in legislation or national policy.

  • Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection

DLP: Dacid Fortune, Director
Email: sheena@meandthemoon.ie
Tel: (01) 202 1522
Mob: +353 86 406 2690

DEPUTY: Sheena Fortune, Director
Email: david@meandthemoon.ie
Tel: (01) 202 1522
Mob: +353 86 315 2511

Risk assessment

In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, we have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the service or participating in service activities with Me and The Moon. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the service procedures for managing those risks is summarised below:

Risk identified: Potential of harm to a child by a staff member while availing of our services
Procedure in place to manage: We have undergone Tusla’s Child First Safety Training to spot potential warning signs associated child protection or welfare. Staff candidates are subject to assessment of relevant qualifications, experience and track record in relation to children. All staff are expected to adhere to the relevant Departmental and Civil Service codes and policies in their interactions with children and young people. Non-compliance with these policies and failure to uphold the expected standards of behaviour will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Staff are subject to Garda vetting/clearing procedures. Management provides guidance and advice to staff to ensure that children are provided a safe and comfortable environment. Parent/guardian participation is encouraged. Staff meet with parents/guardians before and after each art workshop. Parent/guardian feedback is encouraged.

Risk identified: Potential of harm to a child by physical surroundings while availing of our services
Procedure in place to manage: Children are supervised at all times. Group numbers are kept small to ensure effective supervision. Parents/guardians are asked to provide any relevant information on disabilities, allergies or special requirments before each workshop. First aid kit and best practice procedures provided to staff for each workshop. Contact information of parent/guardian is available on hand for staff member at every workshop. Parent/guardian feedback is encouraged.

Risk identified: Potential of harm to a child by another child while availing of our services
Procedure in place to manage: We have undergone Tusla’s Child First Safety Training to spot potential warning signs associated with child protection or welfare. Children are supervised at all times. Group numbers are kept small to ensure effective supervision. Peer-to-peer learning is encouraged and nurtured at workshops. Anti-bullying policies and procedures are made available to staff. Contact information of parent/guardian is available on hand for staff member at every workshop. Staff meet with parents/guardians before and after each art workshop. Parent/guardian feedback is encouraged.

Risk identified: Potential of a child or co-worker contracting Covid-19 while attending one of our workshops.
Procedure in place to manage: We have developed an extensive Covid-19 Risk Assessment and Guidance document outlining all our strategies with which we will combat the risks associated with the spread of Covid-19 at our workshops. Read our full strategy here.

Procedures

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:

  • Management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against workers/volunteers of a child availing of our service

  • Safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children

  • The provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm

  • Reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla

  • Maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons

  • Appointing a Designated Liaison Person and Deputy Liaison Person for Child Protection.

Implementation

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our service is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our service. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in July 2019 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

For queries, please contact

DLP: David Fortune, Director
Email: sheena@meandthemoon.ie
Tel: (01) 202 1522
Mob: +353 86 406 2690

Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015.