ISGI is a private company that offers guardianship and family placements to minors.

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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 Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Directors of ISGI have agreed to the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

1. The Directors has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for guardianships as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement for ISGI.

2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Nora Gallagher.

3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Ian Gallagher.

4. The Directors recognizes that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of guardianship life and must be reflected in all of the guardianship’s policies, procedures, practices, and activities. In its policies, procedures, practices, and activities, ISGI will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:

 

ISGI will:

• Recognize that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations.

• Fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children.

• Fully cooperate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters.

• Adopt safe practices to minimize the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and protect workers from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect.

• Develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children.

• Fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.

 

The following procedures/measures are in place:

• In relation to any member of staff who is the subject of any investigation (howsoever described) in respect of any act, omission, or circumstance in respect of a child in the care of ISGI, we adhere to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures.

• In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, ISGI adheres to the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 and to the wider duty of care guidance set out in relevant Garda vetting procedures.

Child Safeguarding Statement

CSS Policy Rev. 2024

 

 

• In relation to the provision of information and, where necessary, instruction and training, to staff in respect of the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act), the guardianship: Has provided each member of staff with a copy of the guardianship’s Child Safeguarding Statement.

• Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the guardianship’s Child Safeguarding Statement.

• Encourages Directors to avail of relevant training.

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• In relation to reporting child protection concerns to Tusla, all guardianship personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures 2017, including, in the case of any registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.

• In this guardianship, the Directors have appointed the abovenamed DLP as the “relevant person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the child safeguarding statement.

• In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Directors have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while in the care of ISGI or participating in guardianship activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the guardianship’s procedures for managing those risks is attached as an appendix to this statement.

• The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the guardianship’s website.

 

Note: The above is not intended as an exhaustive list.

6. This statement has been published on the guardianship’s website and has been provided to all members of guardianship personnel.

7. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request via the website. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and all stakeholders if requested.

8. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed annually or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this statement refers.

 

This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed on Jan 25th 2024 and again on Nov 15 2024 following DLP training by Nora Gallagher with Barnardos as organised by MEI