Rewind<<Fastforward>>Record
Child Safeguarding Statement 2022
1. Name of service being provided
Arts Service / Workshops
2. Nature of service:
The REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD: Revising the Rainbow (RFR) initiative is aimed at engaging with LGBTQ+ community groups of all ages on a national platform to uncover queer histories and expand their retelling and relevance through artistic interpretation.
Through a series of talks, tours, workshops and personal accounts, the six-week-long pilot project taking place in Rialto, Dublin will develop a body of creative responses to be presented as a touring exhibition to regional locations across the country. As part of each regional exhibition, a further series of local talks and workshops will generate new creative responses expanding the material as it tours to each new location. This cumulative material will form both a historical and a contemporary archive of hidden queer histories and current perspectives of RFR participants. RFR is an exploration of queer identity; past and present, and aims to connect us with both our history and our community. By better understanding our past, we can ensure a more visible and equal future.
The Rewind Fastforward Record Project is led and managed by the Directors, with support provided by facilitators and a range of freelance contractors.
This statement has been developed 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’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice. This Child Safeguarding Statement is applicable to those activities involving children and young people that are delivered by RFR. Current provision includes:
RFR Youth Art Workshops / RFR Youth Theatre Workshops – RFR organises and programmes youth art workshops and youth theatre workshops.
RFR Performances and exhibitions -RFR organises exhibitions and performances with youth groups, organisations and local authorities.
RFR Programmes/Workshops via Internet
Workshops and youth arts programmes can take place over the internet. RFR have developed a separate Child Safeguarding Policy and Statement with regards to same.
In addition, RFR ensures our staff and contracted facilitators have received Child Safeguarding training and are aware of and comply with Child Safeguarding policies and procedures. We ensure that appropriate recruitment procedures and Garda Clearance are in place.
3. Principles to safeguard children from harm:
RFR is committed to a child-centred approach to our work with children in the delivery of all our services and activities.
Rewind Fastforward Record is committed to:
∙ Promoting general welfare, health development and safety of children;
∙ Ensuring safe management procedures are in place for all staff and volunteers including: robust recruitment, selection, supervision and support procedures;
∙ Developing guidance and procedures for staff and volunteers who may have reasonable grounds for concern about the possible abuse or neglect of a child involved in the services or activities;
∙ Ensuring Designated Child Protection Liaison Officers are appointed and accessible;
∙ Ensuring that the Local Authority has procedures in place to deal with an allegation of abuse made against an employee/volunteer;
∙ Raising awareness in the organisation about potential risks to children’s safety/welfare;
∙ Developing procedures for responding to accidents and complaints; ∙ Developing and maintaining clear record-keeping procedures;
∙ Ensuring a Code of Behaviour is in place to provide employees and volunteers with clear guidance on how to treat children and young people in the organisation;
∙ Developing a policy of interagency cooperation with Tusla and other agencies involved in the protection of a child.
Rewind Fastforward Record child-centred approach
Rewind Fastforward Record child-centred approach means to: Treat all children equally
∙ Listen to and respect children
∙ Involve children as appropriate
∙ Provide encouragement, support and praise (regardless of ability) ∙ Use appropriate language (verbal and physical)
∙ Have fun and encourage a positive atmosphere
∙ Offer constructive criticism when needed
∙ Treat all children as individuals
∙ Respect a child’s personal space
∙ Use age-appropriate teaching aids
∙ Lead by example
∙ Be aware of child time limitations e.g. school/exams when scheduling activities
∙ Create an atmosphere of trust
∙ Be aware of the Equal Status Act 2000-2010 which relates to discrimination based on nine grounds:
o Gender
o Civil Status
o Family Status
o Age
o Race
o Religion
o Disability
o Sexual Orientation
o Membership of the Traveller community
∙ Use all information in respect of children only for the purpose for which it is given, subject to child protection concern(s).
4. Risk Assessment:
We have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while participating in our project. It is a mandatory requirement that an assessment of risks is carried out in accordance with Tusla’s Children First National Guidance 2017 see
https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Children_First_National_Guidance_2017.pdf A list of areas of risk identified and procedures for managing these risks have been identified as:
Risk identified
Procedures in place to manage identified risk
1. Risk of harm not being recognised by
staff/contractors.
Mandatory reading and signing of the Service’s Child Safeguarding Statement and policies. Provision of and access to Child Safeguarding information including Tusla’s online Child Protection Training – Children First E-Learning module. Requirement of a Health & Safety Statement which includes policy and procedures to minimize any foreseeable risk
2. Risk of harm not being reported properly and
promptly by
staff/contractors.
All personnel are provided with procedures for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns in a timely manner to Designated Liaison Person/Tusla/Gardai through the Council’s Child protection policy. Including information on the role and responsibilities of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy Designated Liaison Person.
3. Risk of young persons being harmed by staff, contractors
Provision for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and contractors including procedure for Garda Vetting. The likelihood of staff/contractors being on their own with a child is very low. Code of behaviour for staff/contractors is included in the Dignity at Work Policy.
4. Risk of harm due to bullying of a young person.
Code of behaviour for staff/contractors included in anti-bullying and harassment policy. The likelihood of staff/contractors being on their own with a child is very low.
5. Risk of harm due to inappropriate use of images of young people
Consent to use of images is requested from children and their parents/guardians. There is a social media policy in place.
Use of photographs is limited to specific use and for a specific purpose.
6. Risk of harm through inappropriate use of
internet services
See separate policy document for Internet Child Safeguarding Policy
7. Risk of harm due to inappropriate use of young people’s personal data
Use of personal data is limited and relates to specific projects and the General Data Protection Regulations policy applies.
Communications and Confidentiality policy based on any interaction with public data applies.
5. Procedures
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), 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:
Procedure for the Protection and Safeguarding of Children:
∙ Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against workers/volunteers of a child availing of our service
∙ Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children
∙ Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm; ∙ Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla;
∙ Procedure for maintaining a list of persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons;
∙ Procedure for appointing a relevant person
6. Reporting a Concern
Anyone can report a concern about a child. If you have any concerns about a child you should report them to Tusla. A report can be made in person, by telephone or in writing.
Any member of the public who has a concern about a child can contact Tusla local social work duty service in the area where the child lives for advice about reporting your concern. In the event of any emergency where you think a child is in immediate danger and you cannot get in contact with Tusla, you should contact An Garda Síochána.
For information on Child Protection – www.tusla.ie
7. Implementation
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. RFR is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while participating in our projects. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in January 2024 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.
Directors - Hannah Tiernan han.tiernan@gmail.com Brendan Fox - brendanfoxart@gmail.com