Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
The Child Protection Policy of Exchange aims to consider both the rights of the child/young person
and the rights of adult volunteers whilst also seeking to protect both groups in their association,
interaction and work with one another.
In promoting the development of children/young people, Exchange has a responsibility to
make certain that we have sufficient knowledge and confidence to reject any behaviour from their
peers or from adults which may threaten a child/young person in any way. To accomplish this,
children/young people should be helped to recognise their rights and obligations to one another and
to adults. Volunteering at Exchange recognises this requirement and the need to implement it.
Exchange relies solely on the time and commitment freely given by its volunteers and
without this the opportunities for children and young people to participate in activities and to
engage in social interaction would not exist. Volunteering at Exchange should be a mutually
beneficial, enjoyable and fun experience for both the volunteers and young people.
Section Two
Definition of child
A child means anyone who is under 18 years of age so this includes young people.
Provision
Rights to minimum standards of health, education, social security, physical care, family life,
play, recreation, culture and leisure, and adequate standards of living;
Protection
Rights of children to be safe from discrimination, physical abuse, exploitation, substance
abuse, injustice and conflict;
Participation
Rights of children to a name and identity, to be consulted and taken account of, to have
access to information, to have freedom of speech and opinion, and to challenge decisions
made on their behalf.
Section Three
Core Values and Principles of Youth Policy
Importance of Childhood
The importance of childhood should be understood and respected by everyone involved.
The right to happiness within childhood must be recognised and enriched through all
activities at Exchange.
Equality
All young people who enter the space should be valued and treated in a reasonable and fair
manner regardless of ability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social and ethnic
background or political persuasion. Young people, irrespective of ability or disability should
be involved in activities in an integrated and inclusive way, whenever possible.
Integrity in Relationships
Adult volunteers interacting with young people are in a position of both trust and influence.
They should always ensure that young people are treated with integrity and respect, and the
self-esteem of young people is enhanced. All adult actions within Exchange should be guided
by what is best for young people and carried out in the context of respectful and open
relationships. Physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect of any kind or threat of such
abuse is totally unacceptable within Exchange, as in society in general.
Volunteers offer vital support to young people at a crucial stage in their lives through social
interactions, listening to them and advocating on their behalf, all the time affording young
people the opportunity to participate in a range of activities in Exchange. Such relationships
have tremendous potential to help young people.
Section Four
Young People and Adult Relationships
Positive adult - young people relationships will inevitably result in growth, development and
fulfilment for all those involved in Exchange. Adults who become involved in Exchange do so
in their own free time. Given the important and responsible roles which adult volunteers
contribute on many different levels at Exchange, it is essential that their ability to deal with
young people in a fair, empathetic and ethical manner is supported, guided and continued. A
consistent method of recruiting volunteers should be in place, including a submission of
written volunteer application forms, seeking references and keeping a written record of all
relevant paperwork.
Section Five
Safe Practices in Youth Work
Volunteers at Exchange carry a duty of care in relation to the young people who use the
space and participate in the activities at Exchange.
Junior Volunteers
Records should be kept on all junior volunteers and should include parental consent, any
relevant medical details, any special needs and emergency contact telephone numbers.
Event Records
Records should be kept and logged in relation to any organised events at Exchange. A record
of the company, artist or group holding an event at Exchange should be kept along with their
relevant contact details. The number of attendees at the event should also be logged along
with a sign in book for volunteers on duty. An accident and incident report book should
record any such happenings within the space. All records should be reviewed regularly and
any irregularities must be reported by the volunteer responsible for overseeing these
records.
Section Six
Policy and Procedures
Physical Contact
Physical contact of a comforting and reassuring nature is a valid way of expressing concern
and care for young people, where such contact is acceptable to all persons concerned. It is
recommended that volunteers be sensitive and aware to the potential risk and vulnerability
to personal safety and false allegations which may arise when interacting with young people.
Physical contact should always be intended to meet the young persons needs and NOT the
adults. Such physical contact should be conducted in an open environment with the
permission and understanding of the young person.
Never engage in inappropriate touching on any part of the body that might cause a young
person distress or embarrassment.
Section Seven
Guidelines for Young People
Young people have so much to gain from the events and activities in Exchange in terms of
their own personal development and enjoyment. The positive and safe atmosphere depends
on the collaboration of all involved in Exchange, including young people. Young people must
be encouraged to realise that they also have responsibilities to treat other young people and
volunteers with dignity and respect.
Young people are entitled to:
1. Be listened to
2. Be believed
3. Be safe and to feel safe
4. Participate in events and activities on an equal basis
5. Be treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect
6. Be happy, have fun and enjoy the events and activities at Exchange
7. Comment and make suggestions in a constructive manner
8. Make a complaint in an appropriate way and have it dealt with through Exchanges
complaints procedure
9. Be afforded confidentiality
10. Have a voice in the running of Exchange and be able to be part of the Collective
Young people should agree to:
1. Respect volunteers and the work that they do at Exchange
2. Respect the space and the property of the space
3. Show due consideration for local businesses and residents in the surrounding areas of
Exchange
4. Respect fellow users of the space and the events/activities which take place there
5. Exercise self-control and tolerance for other users of the space, even if others do not
Young people should not:
1. Bring alcohol or drugs of any kind into Exchange or enter the premises whilst being
under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
2. Bring weapons or objects which may be deemed dangerous/harmful into Exchange
3. Use violence or partake in any sort of rough physical play making
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Section Eight
Guidelines for the Use of Photographic and Mobile Equipment
The purpose of such guidelines is to reduce the risk of inappropriate and unsolicited attention from
individuals. Group photographs where the Exchange is identified rather than individuals are good for
publicity without creating a risk to those in the photographs. Photographs, if they are coupled with
personal information can be used as a means of identifying children. Such occurrences can make a
young person vulnerable to an individual who may wish to groom that child/young person for
abuse. Furthermore, the content of a photograph can be altered and adapted for inappropriate use.
However, as a guide, it is important to remember the following:
1. If a person is named on Exchanges website, Twitter or Facebook page, (or any other social
networking site or blog) then avoid using their photograph
2. If a photograph is used then avoid naming the individual
3. Ask for the individuals permission to use their image to ensure that they are aware of the
way the image is to be used to represent Exchange or its events/activities
4. Ask for parental permission to use a young persons image to ensure that parents/guardians
are aware of the way the image is to be used to represent Exchange
5. To reduce the risk of inappropriate use, only use images of young people in suitable dress.
The content of the image should focus on the event/activity and not on a particular young
person
6. Photographers/film/video operators who wish to record an event should seek permission
from the Collective first
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Section Nine
Bullying
Bullying is a repeated aggression be it verbal, psychological or physical, which is conducted by an
individual or group against others. It is behaviour, which is intentionally aggravating and intimidating
and occurs mainly among children/young people in social environments such as schools, sports
clubs, activity clubs and other organisations working with children/young people. Bullying involves
behaviours such as teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting or extortion by one or more children
against a victim. It is the responsibility of volunteers to deal with bullying that may take place in
Exchange. Incidents of bullying should be dealt with immediately and not tolerated under any
circumstances. Many children are reluctant to tell adults that they are being bullied. Older children
are even more reluctant to do so. This emphasises a real need for volunteers to be constantly
vigilant and to report incidents of bullying immediately.
Tackling Bullying
Exchange aims to implement the following measures:
Foster an ethos which aims to encourage young people and volunteers to report bullying
Obtain the co-operation of all users of the space to deal with bullying
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Section Ten
Understanding and Recognising Child Abuse
It is not always easy to acknowledge that child abuse may take place in youth organisations or
groups or within families. It is often presumed that people who work particularly in a voluntary
capacity are caring individuals and the possibility that an individual might be capable of abusing a
young person is extremely difficult to accept.
Young people in certain situations may be particularly vulnerable to abuse. These include
young people who are separated from their parents or other family members. Young people with
disabilities and those from a minority background may also be particularly vulnerable.
Exchange like any other organisation that includes children/young people as its members is
vulnerable to the occurrence of child abuse. Unwillingness to think badly of individuals, or a lack of
awareness that such things can take place, can lead to a reluctance in recognising and dealing with
the possibility of abuse. Possessing an awareness of what constitutes abusive behaviour and a
willingness to deal with the issue is most likely to provide the safest and most enjoyable involvement
for young people within Exchange.
Volunteers may have to deal with two different contexts in which child protection concerns may
arise:
1. Situations where it becomes apparent that a child or young person is being harmed or is at
risk of harm within his or her own family context or home environment
2. Situations where an allegation of child abuse is made against a volunteer
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Neglect generally becomes apparent in different ways over a period of time rather than one
specific point. For example a child who suffers minor injuries is not having his or her needs
for supervision and safety met. Or a child who is significantly underweight may be deprived
adequate nutrition.
2. Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between and adult and a child
rather than in a specific incident or set of patterns. Emotional abuse occurs when a childs
need for affection, approval and security are not met. It is rarely revealed in terms of
physical symptoms. The threshold of significant harm is reached when abusive interactions
dominate and become typical of the relationship between the child and the
parent/guardian.
3. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is any form of non-accidental injury that causes significant harm to a child,
including:
Deliberate poisoning
Suffocation or drowning
Burning or scalding
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4. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used by another individual for his or her gratification or
sexual arousal, or for that of others.
For example:
Exposure of the sexual organs or any sexual act intentionally performed in the
presence of a child
Consensual sexual activity between an adult and a child under 17 years. In relation
to child sexual abuse, it should be noted that, for the purpose of criminal law, the
age of consent to sexual intercourse is 17 years. This means, for example, that
sexual intercourse between a 16 year old girl and her 17 year old boyfriend is illegal,
although it might not be regarded as constituting child sexual abuse. (The definition
of child sexual abuse offered here is not a legal definition and it is not intended to be
a description of the criminal offence of sexual assault)
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Indicators
Abuse
Physical
Behavioural
Physical
Unexplained
Becoming withdrawn or
bruising, bites,
aggressive
Crying
Regressive behaviour
Excessive clinginess
Neglect
Weight loss
Changes in attendance
Untreated
Reluctance to go home
fractures
Sexual
Torn or blood
Distrustful of adults
stained clothing
Inappropriate
sexual
awareness,
behaviour or
language
2. Peer Abuse
In some cases of abuse the alleged perpetrator will also be a child/young person. If there is
any conflict of interest between the welfare of the alleged abuser and the victim, the
victims welfare is of utmost importance.
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3. Verbal Abuse
This includes name calling, sarcasm and criticism, making reference to some physical
characteristic, destructive criticism, derogatory remarks and gestures.
4. Bullying
As discussed in section nine.
5. Unwelcome Behaviour
This may include favouritism, exclusion, sexual harassment and sexual innuendo, humiliating
and embarrassing others, deprivation of basic rights and harsh disciplinary measures.
A young person appears to have suffered a suspicious injury for which no reasonable
explanation can be offered
Fearful responses to an adult who is responsible for their care at any given time
Attempted suicide
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Section Eleven
Dealing with a Disclosure of Abuse from a Young Person
Exchange can provide a secure environment which may enable a young person to share their
concerns. Therefore it is paramount that a young person who discloses abuse feels supported in
what maybe a traumatic process. A young person who discloses that they have been abused is
making a profound act of trust and should be treated with respect and sensitivity.
It is important to remember the following:
1. React calmly and do not show any extreme reaction
2. Listen carefully and take the young person seriously
3. Reassure the young person
4. Do not make false promises, particularly with regard to secrecy
5. Do not ask the young person to repeat the story unnecessarily
6. Ask questions only for the purpose of clarification
7. Do not express any opinions about the alleged abuser
8. Record the conversation as soon as possible, in as much detail as possible. Sign and date
it.
9. Pass on the information to the relevant authorities
10. Treat the information confidentially
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Section Twelve
Reporting Procedures in Respect of Suspected Or Actual Child Abuse
The following steps should be followed in reporting child abuse to the Statutory Authorities:
1. Make a note of any relevant details in relation to the young person; such as their full name,
address, school
2. Observe and note dates, times, locations and contexts in which the incident occurred or
suspicion was aroused
3. Report the matter as soon as possible to the Statutory Authority local Health Service
Executive or An Garda Sochna who will investigate
Useful Contacts:
East Coast Area Health Board
Community Care Area
Area 1
Area 2
Area 10
Address
Tivoli Road, Dn Laoghaire, Co.
Dublin
Vergemount Hall, Clonskeagh,
Dublin 6
Glenside Road, Co. Wicklow
Phone Number
01 284 35 79
Address
St. Josephs School for the Deaf,
Social Work Department,
Navan Road, Dublin 7
Rose Cottage, Convent Avenue,
Richmond Road, Fairview,
Dublin 3
Coolock Health Centre,
Cromcastle Road, Coolock,
Dublin 5
Phone Number
01 83 85 034
01 269 82 22
0404 68 400
Area 7
Area 8
01 85 75 431
01 84 76 122
Area 4
Area 5
Address
Unit 43, The malting Business
Park, 54/55 Marrowbone Lane,
Dublin 8
Old County Road, Health
Centre, Crumlin, Dublin 12
Community Services, Dublin
West, Cherry Orchard Hospital,
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
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Phone Number
01 45 44 733
01 41 54 700
01 62 06 092