December 2020

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Guidelines & Procedures in respect of Oriel Traditional Orchestra involvement with Children/young persons and Vulnerable Adults

The current D.L.P’s for the Oriel Traditional Orchestra is Noreen McManus & Daithí Kearney they can be contacted at safeguarding@orieltrad.org

DEFINITION:

A child or young person is defined as any person under 18 years.

“vulnerable person” means a person other than a child who is suffering from a disability, impairment or disorder which is of such a nature or degree as to restrict the capacity of the person to guard themselves against harm by another person or that results in the person requiring assistance with the activities of daily living.

INTRODUCTION

The Oriel Traditional Orchestra (hereinafter OTO) fully recognises its responsibilities for Child Protection. Our policy applies to all members, volunteers, facilitators, etc (hereinafter ALL referred to as “members”) working with the organisation.

OTO is a community and voluntary organisation who are creating a community of musical practice to encourage ongoing and lifelong participation in music making in an ensemble context.

As an OTO member it is important to understand that you are in a position of responsibility, authority and trust with respect to the young people and any vulnerable adults you may work with or come in contact with in the course of OTO related activities.

The welfare of children and vulnerable adults involved with the OTO, their health and well-being and their best interests are considered paramount.

OTO members are required to adhere to the Policy, Procedures and Code of at all times.

This document is written to ensure that engagement with OTO in whatever capacity will be a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved.

POLICY STATEMENT

The health, safety and well-being of all our children and vulnerable adults are of paramount importance to all members of the OTO. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe as participants in all our activities.

In our activities we value our children, young people and vulnerable adults. A culture of mutual respect between children/young people/vulnerable adults and those who represent the OTO will be encouraged with adults modelling good practice in this context.

The OTO recognises that good child protection policies and procedures are of benefit to everyone involved with our activities, as these policies can help protect them from erroneous or malicious allegations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This policy ensures that all members are clear about the actions necessary with regard to child protection issues. Its aims are:-

To raise the awareness of all members on the importance of child protection and to identify responsibility in reporting possible cases of abuse.
To ensure effective communication between members when dealing with child protection issues.
To apply the correct procedures when dealing with an issue of child protection.

LEGLISLATION:

Under The Children First Act 2015 and Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011 – voluntary sector organisations such as OTO have a statutory duty of care for the children and young people involved in our Orchestra.

The Children First Act 2015 obliges certain professionals and others working with children to report child protection concerns to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and to assist the Agency, if requested to do so, in its assessment of a child protection risk.

The Children First Act 2015 puts elements of the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011) on a statutory footing. The legislation forms part of a suite of child protection legislation which includes the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012 and the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

The revised Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children was published in July 2011. The Guidance sets out a number of key messages relating to the duty to protect children. Among these are that the safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, that children will have safer lives where everyone is attentive to their wellbeing and that people who work with children across a range of areas understand their responsibility for safe practice and the reporting of concerns. It provides greater clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect and sets out specific protocols for Social Workers in the Child and Family Agency, Gardaí and other front line staff in dealing with suspected abuse and neglect of children.

The principle, which should inform best practice in child protection, is that the welfare of the child/vulnerable adults is of paramount importance. “All organisations, whether statutory or voluntary, have an overall corporate responsibility to safeguard children, and should pay particular attention to

Safe and clearly defined methods of selecting staff and volunteers
Developing effective procedures for the reporting and management of child protection concerns

Identifying a designated staff member/volunteer to act as a liaison (DLP) with outside agencies and as a resource person to any staff member or volunteer who has child protection concerns. The designated person (DLP) will be responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to the Child & Family Agency (TUSLA) and/or An Garda Síochána. (Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011) The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) has a primary responsibility to promote the safety and well-being of children. An Garda Síochána also has statutory responsibilities for the safety and welfare of children. Everyone must be alert to the possibility that children with whom they are in contact may be suffering from abuse or neglect. This responsibility is particularly relevant for professionals such as teachers, child care workers, health professionals and those working with adults with serious parenting difficulties. It is also an important responsibility for leaders involved in the OTO facilitating activities in which children are involved. The Agency (TUSLA) should always be informed when a person has reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Child protection concerns should be supported by evidence that indicates the possibility of abuse or neglect. A concern about a potential risk to children posed by a specific person, even if the children are unidentifiable, should also be communicated to the Agency (TUSLA). The guiding principles in regard to reporting child abuse or neglect may be summarised as follows: o the safety and well-being of the child must take priority; o reports should be made without delay to the Agency.

COMPLIANCE

This policy document applies to all OTO activities. They are modelled on existing practice and informed by law. Should any conflict arise between any of our policies and procedures and the laws of individual countries then the relevant law will take precedence. We will endeavour to ensure that our policy documents are updated appropriately to reflect future changes in the law.

RATIONALE

To adopt a Policy and Code Of Practice on safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults.
To plan and monitor the work of OTO so as to eliminate situations where the abuse of a child may occur
To apply agreed procedures for protecting children to all members
To use supervision as a means of protecting children
To ensure that all members are aware of this Policy, Code Of Practice and Child Protection procedures to be followed
To ensure that mandatory vetting by the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) is applied to all OTO members (who have frequent access to children) who provide a service to children and others.

DESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON (DLP):

A Designated Liaison Person will be nominated by the OTO each year. The D.L.P has responsibility for managing child protection issues within the OTO. The role and responsibilities of the DLP are:

To implement and promote the unit’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
To act as the main contact for child protection within the OTO.
To provide information and advice on child protection for the OTO.
To create awareness of the importance of child protection.
To communicate with members on child protection issues.
To keep abreast of developments and understand the most recent information on related issues – data protection, confidentiality, legal and other, that impact on child protection.
To encourage good practice and support of the procedures involved.
To maintain confidential records of reported cases and the action taken and to liaise with the statutory agencies and ensure that they have access to all necessary information.
To regularly monitor and review the Policy and Procedures

FIVE ELEMENTS:

We establish a safe environment in which children/vulnerable adults can learn, perform and develop
We create an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to communicate and are listened to.
We ensure children know that there are adults in OTO whom they can approach if they have concerns.
We ensure that adult members of OTO, and other adults working with OTO, possess an understanding of the responsibility placed on the organisation for child protection by stating its obligation in this policy.
We raise awareness of the child protection issues among members and co-workers
We ensure every member in contact with children is aware of this Policy and Procedures/guidelines and are aware of their inherent responsibilities.
We raise awareness of the Child Protection Policy with all members, parents, tutors and supervisors.
We practise safe recruitment and check the suitability of staff/teachers.
We recognise the importance of checking the background of facilitators before they are given responsibility to work with children. OTO , as a voluntary organisation, has registered with the NVB (National Vetting Bureau), Current legislation requires mandatory vetting for all personnel working with children in Éire
We implement Procedures in respect of suspect, alleged or confirmed cases of abuse o We recognise that members may in some instances have cause for concern. Should the latter occur guidance should be sought from the DLP and liaise with statutory agencies, namely The Child & Family Agency (TUSLA ) and An Garda Síochána.
We will maintain effective links with the relevant agencies and co-operate with any enquiry regarding child protection matters.
We will follow child protection procedures where an allegation is made against a member/volunteer. (Refer to “Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children” (1999, 2009, 2011)
Certain children are more vulnerable to abuse than others. Such children include those with disabilities, children who are homeless and those who, for one reason or another, are separated from their parents or other family members and who depend on others for their care and protection. The same categories of abuse – neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse – are applicable, but may take a slightly different form. For example, abuse may take the form of deprivation of basic rights, harsh disciplinary regimes or the inappropriate use of medications or physical restraints. All those involved in caring for children in residential settings, including those for educational and recreational purposes, outside of the home (as in the case of attendance at OTO rehearsals) must be alert to the possibility of abuse by other members.
We recognise the possibility of retrospective disclosures by adults

An increasing number of adults are disclosing abuse that took place during their childhoods. Such disclosures often come to light when adults attend counselling. It is essential to establish whether there is any current risk to any child who may be in contact with the alleged abuser revealed in such disclosures. If any risk is deemed to exist to a child who may be in contact with an alleged abuser, the counsellor/ health professional should report the allegation to the HSE Children and Family Services without delay. The HSE National Counselling Service is in place to listen to, value and understand those who have been abused in childhood. The service is a professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service and is available free of charge in all regions of the country (see www.hse-ncs.ie/en). The service can be accessed either through healthcare professionals or by way of self-referral (Freephone 1800 477477). PROTECTION FOR PERSONS REPORTING CHILD ABUSE ACT 1998: The Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 makes provision for the protection from civil liability of persons who have communicated child abuse ‘reasonably and in good faith’ to designated officers of the HSE or to any member of An Garda Síochána. This protection applies to organisations as well as to individuals. This means that even if a communicated suspicion of child abuse proves unfounded, a plaintiff who took an action would have to prove that the person who communicated the concern had not acted reasonably and in good faith in making the report. A person who makes a report in good faith and in the child’s best interests may also be protected under common law by the defence of qualified privilege. This act was passed on 23rd Jan 1999. The main provisions of the act are:

The provision of immunity from civil liabliity to any person who reports child abuse “reasonably and in good faith” to designated officers of the HSE or An Garda Síochána.
The creation of a new offence of false reporting of child abuse where a person makes a report “knowing that statement to be false”
“ A person shall not be liable in damages in respect of the communication, whether in writing or otherwise, by him or her to an appropriate person of his or her opinion that 1. A child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or 2. A child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected, unless it is proved that he or she has not acted reasonably and in good faith in forming that opinion and communicating it to the appropriate person” 3. Unless it is proved that he or she has not acted reasonably and in good faith in forming that opinion and communicating it to the appropriate person”

REPORTING PROCEDURES:

If a member of OTO receives an allegation, or has a suspicion that a child is being abused, he or she must, in the first instance, consult with the DLP.
It is important that the suspicions or allegations are recorded by the DLP.
In cases where an allegation is made, the DLP must report the matter immediately to the relevant authorities, ie. to the designated officer in the Child & Family Agency social work department (TUSLA) or to An Garda Síochána.(NOTE: Any query or concern in relation to children out of hours should be reported to An Garda Síochána)
It is essential that at all times the matter is treated in a confidential manner.
It is NOT the responsibility of the DLP or any other person to find a resolution or discuss the matter with anyone else except the appropriate agencies.
All advice proffered by TUSLA – Child & Family Agency social work department and An Garda Síochána should be strictly adhered to.
Where an allegation of abuse or neglect is made against a member, the DLP shall immediately act in accordance with the procedures outlined no. 3 above.
Once a disclosure is made by a child, a written record of the disclosure shall be made as soon as possible by the person receiving it.
Where an allegation of abuse or neglect is made by an adult, a written statement should be sought from this person.
Whether or not the matter is being reported to the Child & Family Agency or An Garda Síochána, the DLP shall always inform the OTO committee of the allegation.
Where the allegation or concern relates to the DLP, the matter should be reported to the committee. In such cases, the committee, as appropriate, shall assume the role normally undertaken by the DLP and shall follow the procedures set out at no.3 above.
From this point on, only the Statutory Authorities should deal with the matter

CODE OF PRACTICE:

The following guidance includes a variety of contexts in which OTO members carry out their activities:

The Code Of Practice is to safeguard the welfare of the young children in our charge and to ensure that safe and sensible steps will continue to be taken to ensure the safe practice and environment for all OTO members.

OTO Activities

All facilitators and tutors who assist with OTO activities must be approved by the committee
Ensure that TWO adult members, preferably one male and one female arrive together to open the venue.
Arrange seating appropriately with respect to physical proximity.
It is necessary for a member to report inappropriate behaviour to an OTO adult and to the DLP
Trust your intuition if a member is acting inappropriately and take action, ie share concerns with the DLP and implement measures to reduce risk.
Use verbal affirmation to praise rather than physical touch.
Never use physical forms of discipline.
Ensure that after rehearsals and events all children are collected promptly and TWO adult members, preferably one male and one female or a tutor and one other adult are present to lock up the venue.
Drop off and collection times should be strictly adhered to.
There should be adequate supervision of young people while they are waiting for rehearsals.
A register and incident book should be kept. (Record details of any incident occuring – date, time, place and summary of the incident pertaining to children’s welfare)

Transport

Ensure that two adults, preferably one male and one female, travel in the car when only one child is being transported.
When transporting young person seat them in the back seat,
Only carry the appropriate number vis a vis seat belts.
Journey duration should be reported to another adult.
A parental consent proforma should be completed regarding trips / outings.

Insurance

OTO Insurance Policy provides cover for all members. While OTO has an Insurance Policy the following guidelines must be adhered to:
Ensure adults are first to arrive at the venue.
Ensure that all children have been collected prior to the adults leaving the venue.
Children must be supervised at all times.
Ensure the venues are safe from all/any potential hazards.

Photography: Authorisation.

Child protection issues and sensitivity towards identity theft have presented challenges to all those involved with recording images of people for promotional purposes. In the same way that video and audio recordings require authorisation and permissions at competitions, it is also important to follow the proper procedures in photographing young persons. The subjects of any photographs must be informed that their picture has been taken and may be used for promotional purposes by OTO. Ideally, if under 18 years, subjects’ parents or their guardians must sign approval on the official form. Recognising child neglect or abuse Child neglect or abuse can often be difficult to identify and may present in many forms. A list of indicators of child abuse is contained in Appendix 1. No one indicator should be seen as conclusive in itself of abuse. It may indicate conditions other than child abuse. All signs and symptoms must be examined in the context of the child’s situation and family circumstances.

Guidelines for recognition

The ability to recognise child abuse can depend as much on a person’s willingness to accept the possibility of its existence as it does on their knowledge and information. There are commonly three stages in the identification of child neglect or abuse:

Considering the possibility;
Looking out for signs of neglect or abuse;

Recording of information.

Recommendations:

All OTO personnel, tutors and all other volunteers working with children will be provided with a copy of this policy to raise awareness of child protection and to provide as much information as possible.
Parents/Guardians of children attending OTO events will be made aware of this policy and arrangements will be made to view the policy if requested to do so.
OTO will review this policy at regular intervals and will provide effective management and training for all personnel.

Appendix 1

DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE:

Children First identifies 4 categories of child abuse. The definitions of child abuse within the document are the agreed national definitions. Everyone working with children and family’s needs to be aware of these definitions and of the signs and symptoms of abuse. It is important that workers from different disciplines and agencies have a shared understanding of what constitutes child abuse and a common language to communicate concerns about children. A child may be subjected to one or more forms of abuse at any given time.

NEGLECT:

An omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, medical care.

Neglect generally becomes apparent in different ways over a period of time rather than at one specific point. For example, a child who suffers a series of minor injuries may not be having his or her needs met in terms of necessary supervision and safety. A child whose height or weight is significantly below average may be being deprived of adequate nutrition. A child who consistently misses school may be being deprived of intellectual stimulation.

A distinction can be made between ‘wilful’ neglect and ‘circumstantial’ neglect. Wilful neglect generally incorporates a direct and deliberate deprivation by a parent/carer of a child’s most basic needs, e.g. withdrawal of food, shelter, clothing, and contact with other. There is a criminal aspect to wilful neglect and a person can be charged for this.

Circumstantial neglect more often may be due to parental stress/inability to cope by parents or carers. Consider not only the parent’s role, but also the societal and environmental factors contributing to the parent’s inability to provide for the basic needs of the child, such as social isolation, poor housing, low levels of employment and poverty (Children Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, Section 1.5).

Harm can be defined as the ill-treatment or the impairment of the health or development of a child. Whether it is significant is determined by the child’s health and development as compared to that which could reasonably be expected of a child of similar age (Children First, Section 2.2.2). Tusla Social Work Departments have the responsibility to assess whether a child has reached the threshold of significant harm.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE:

When a child’s need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met.
Emotional abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between a caregiver and a child.
Unless other forms of abuse are present, emotional abuse is rarely manifested in terms of physical signs or symptoms. Like neglect, emotional abuse is a series or pattern of instances over a period of time rather than a single event.
Emotional abuse is not necessarily associated with physical deprivation. Emotional neglect and abuse is found typically in a home lacking in emotional warmth. The emotional needs of the child are not met; the parent’s relationship to the child may be without empathy and devoid of emotional responsiveness.
Emotional abuse is not easy to recognise because the effects are not easily observable.
It should be noted that no one indicator is conclusive of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse and neglect is more likely to impact negatively on a child where there is a cluster of indices, where these are present over time and where there is a lack of other protective factors.
Children who are physically and sexually abused and neglected also suffer from emotional abuse.
Some examples of emotional abuse are:
- persistent criticism, sarcasm, hostility or blaming;
- conditional parenting – level of care contingent on child’s behaviours or actions;
- exposure to domestic violence.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Any form of non-accidental injury or injury which results from willful or neglectful failure to protect a child.
Physical abuse can occur as single or repeated incidents. Some examples include: o pinching, biting, choking or hair-pulling; o use of excessive force in handling.
Unsatisfactory explanations, varying explanations, frequency and clustering of indicators – all can give rise to high levels of concern for physical abuse.
There are many different forms of physical abuse, but skin, mouth and bone injuries are the most common.
The age and developmental stage of the child, the site/location of the injury and the pattern of the injury need to be examined in relation to the history of the incident.

SEXUAL ABUSE:

When a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or sexual arousal or for that of others
Child sexual abuse often covers a wide spectrum of abuse activities. It rarely involves just a single incident and usually occurs over a number of years. Sexual abuse most commonly happens within the family.
Cases of sexual abuse principally come to light through: (Children First Guidance 2011, Appendix 1)
- disclosure by the child to his or her siblings/friends;
- the suspicions of an adult;
- physical symptoms.
Non-contact sexual abuse can include offensive sexual remarks, obscene telephone calls, ‘exposure’ of an offender to a victim, an offender observing a victim in a state of undress or activities that provide sexual gratification to the offender.

Some examples of child sexual abuse can include:

exposure of the sexual organs or any sexual act intentionally performed in the presence of the child;
showing sexually explicit material to children, which is often a feature of the ‘grooming’ process by perpetrators of abuse.
Section 2.5.1(vi) of Children First refers to consensual sexual activity involving an adult and an underage person. In relation to child sexual abuse, it should be noted that, for the purposes of the criminal law, the age of consent to sexual intercourse is 17 years for both boys and girls. An Garda Síochána will deal with the criminal aspects of the case under the relevant legislation.

STATEMENT OF OTO COMPLIANCE

1) Child Protection Policy has been formally adopted at a meeting and noted in the minutes.

2) A Designated Liaison Person (DLP) has been appointed.

3) Copies of this Policy have been provided to all members and other relevant persons

4) This Policy is available to be viewed by any member and by any parent/guardian of members

INTERNET REHEARSAL SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

It is the policy of the Oriel Traditional Orchestra (OTO) to safeguard the welfare of all the children and vulnerable people who are taking part in our activities. The OTO is committed to providing a positive and enlightened environment to facilitate the best possible experience for participants. The welfare of the children and vulnerable people under our care is paramount.
This policy extends the OTO Child Protection Policy and can be seen on our website.

Rehearsing via the Internet

In facilitating access to the full orchestral experience for our members, the OTO extends the opportunity to rehearse via the internet through videotelephony using Google Meet. In providing these opportunities, we commit to adhering to the following best practices in the interest of safeguarding young members, facilitators, all OTO members and organisers.

Child Protection Concerns Related to Internet Rehearsals

Online rehearsals raises the following concerns in relation to child protection:

• The situation introduces the child to the idea of communicating with adults that are not part of their family group over the internet. This is not a practice that should come to be considered normal by the child and it should be emphasised by parents/guardians that communicating in this manner is something that requires permission and supervision;
• This method of rehearsing invites the facilitators/organisers/other OTO members into the child’s home, and vice versa, without being physically present and, therefore, possibly unknown to other members of households. There should be an awareness on behalf of all involved that there is someone virtually present in their home and that everyone’s actions need to be reflected in this. Insofar as is possible, the rehearsal should closely reflect that of an in person rehearsal in a designated venue;
• The possibility exists for distribution of recording on the internet by members and organisers. Permission is required from all parties;
• The OTO undertake to report any concerns around child welfare to it’s designated Liason Person in line with our Child Protection Policy. This relates not only to the student, but to the welfare of any child in the location in which they are working, physically or virtually.

Parental Consent

Consent of parents/guardians shall be sought for the purposes of:

• Engaging with the young person in their home, or other locations as decided, via internet videotelephony;
• The recording of such rehearsal specifying the purposes for which recordings may be used.

Location and Supervision of Rehearsals

• All rehearsals should be held in an area of the home that is open and accessible to the parents/guardians of the young member. Rehearsal should not for instance, take place in a bedroom with a closed door.
• Rehearsals however, need to be held in an area where member and facilitator/organiser can concentrate without unnecessary interruption;
• Ideally, a parent/guardian or other responsible person should be present with the young member throughout the duration of the rehearsal. As trust is built, this may be relaxed with the consent of all involved.

Videotelephony Addresses

• All rehearsals and interactions on child’s part must take place using videotelephony addresses that are controlled by or fully accessible to parents/guardians;
• All rehearsals and interactions on organisers/facilitators/members must take place using organisational addresses that are provided by and controlled by the OTO;
• Organisers/facilitators and members should not use their own personal videotelephony addresses for the purposes of contact with members under 18

Open Door Policy

The OTO operates an open-door policy in relation to internet rehearsals. This means that organisational staff have access to individual rehearsal “rooms” and may join a break out room at any time.

Alternative Contact Methods

• All arrangements/re-arrangements of rehearsals for members under the age of 18 (& vulnerable adults) must be made through a parent/guardian or with the knowledge of parents/guardians.
• Child and organisers/facilitators/OTO are not to communicate via alternative telephony/electronic methods other than those specifically agreed with the parents/guardian.
• Any and all communications between child and OTO must be fully controlled by or accessible to parents/guardians.

Grounds for Concern

The grounds for concern laid out in the OTO’s Child Protection Policy shall apply in all rehearsals over the internet and shall apply to all children in the child’s home. This includes things that happen in the back ground or off-camera.

If a parent/guardian has any concerns about the process or relationship between child/vulnerable adult and any member of the OTO, they should contact the designated Liaison Person to discuss the situation. The OTO undertakes to investigate all complaints or concerns regarding its members in line with our Child Protection Policy.

Recording of Rehearsals
Not all internet rehearsals will be recorded but some may be occasionally for archives, documenting and promotion of OTO activities.

• Members will be told when rehearsals are to be recorded
• The purposes of recordings shall be agreed and adhered to
• The storage location of recordings shall be agreed to and adhered to
• All data collected in relation to members will be dealt with in line with OTO’s Data Protection Policy

Any queries relating to this policy should be sent to the OTO seceteary at music@orieltrad.org

Any concerns should be emailed to the current OTO D.L.P’s; Noreen McManus or Daithí Kearney. They can be contacted at safeguarding@orieltrad.org