Safeguarding Policy
Kinsale Forest Club provides Forest Club activities for children, and we take safeguarding children and vulnerable adults very seriously and there are various measures in place to ensure adequate safeguarding. We remain alert to children’s safety and care; we recognise concerns about children’s welfare and take action if we are worried about a child. We provide children with appropriate care, ensuring that their basic needs are met and that they have access to the services they require.
The Forest Club Leader is compliant with the training provided by Children First: National Guidance.
Appropriate adult to child ratios are applied at all times.
Risk-benefit analyses are conducted before any risky activity and all measures to avoid injury are taken.
All staff/volunteers are continually being briefed on the risks associated with any activity and how these shall be mitigated.
All staff/volunteers have been sufficiently Garda vetted.
The Forest Club Leader holds an up to date REC 3 Remote First Aid Certificate.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Kinsale Forest Club, including staff/volunteers and sessional workers.
We recognise that:
The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take.
Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues and extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse
If there is any reason to suspect that a child is being harmed or at risk of harm, this must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer.
Designated safeguarding officer
Olivia is the designated safeguarding officer and ensures that the Forest Club’s safeguarding policy and procedures are adhered to, and that all staff/volunteers, participants and parents are aware of them. Anybody who suspects a safeguarding concern should report it to her. She may in turn make a report for Tusla.
All staff/volunteers, participants and children are made aware that they should come to Olivia if they have a safeguarding concern. She can provide advice and support about what needs to happen next. Concerns may be brought in person or by phone or email. All reports will be handled with appropriate discretion.
Contact details:
Olivia FitzGerald: 089 978 3933
kinsaleforestclub@proton.me
Garda Vetting Policy
Kinsale Forest Club is committed to the protection and welfare of children in our care. As part of this commitment, Kinsale Forest Club will comply with relevant legislation and recommended best practice in recruitment and selection procedures for both employees and volunteers, and will conduct Garda Vetting, where appropriate, as part of this process.
Olivia FitzGerald is the Liaison Person at Kinsale Forest Club, and all Garda Vetting inquiries may be sent to gardavetting.kfs@proton.me.
Olivia has undergone training in Garda Vetting through the Cork Volunteer Centre, and Kinsale Forest Club is an affiliate organisation of Cork Volunteer Centre.
Garda Vetting is just one of a number of elements that implements to ensure the protection and safety of the children and/or vulnerable adults in Kinsale Forest Club’s care. Appropriate recruitment screening (including interviews, reference checking), child protection and health and safety procedures, etc. will be implemented along with Garda Vetting.