Agreements

Child Safeguarding Statement

Rainbows End Family Physiotherapy Clinic is a Physiotherapy practice providing out-patient physiotherapy services to members of the public, including to children under the age of 18 years.

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, this practice makes the following Child Safeguarding Statement:

This Practice will:

• Adopt and implement fully Child Protection Procedures set out in its Child Safeguarding Policy

• Appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP):  Patricia Weldon

• Appoint a Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP is:  TBC)

• Insist that child protection and welfare considerations are reflected in all of the practice’s policies, procedures, practices and activities. In doing so it will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:

The practice will:

• Recognise 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 co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters
• Adopt safe practices to minimise 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 and collaboration with parents, encouraging parental involvement in the rehabilitation / therapy for their child; and
• Fully respect the confidentiality requirements when dealing with child protection matters.

The practice will adhere to the above principles in relation to any vulnerable person

• The following procedures/measures are in place:
• In relation to any member of staff who is the subject of any investigation in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in respect of a child attending the practice, the practice will immediately institute the Disciplinary Policy for staff
• The selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children will depend on their submitting to Garda Vetting – the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016.
• The practice will provide information, instruction and training as necessary to staff in respect of the identification of occurrence of harm. To this end it will-
• Provide each member of staff with a copy of the Child Safeguarding Statement
• Encourage staff to avail of relevant training
• Maintains a record of all staff training in this regard.
• In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all staff are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Safeguarding Policy.
• In this practice the abovenamed DLP is 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.
• All Chartered employed by the practice are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.
• In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, a Risk Assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the practice. A written assessment setting out the risks identified and the control measures for managing these risks is contained within the Child Safeguarding Policy.
• The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be found in the Child Safeguarding Policy which will be made available to you if required.

This statement is available on the practice website. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and the Department if requested.

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. 

Signed:   Patricia Weldon,  Practice Principal.       Date:   25.04.2018

Child Safeguarding Policy Statement

Rainbows End Family Physiotherapy Clinic provides Physiotherapy Services for children aged up to 18 years of age.

Management responsibility for all activities within this practice is with the Practice Principal, Patricia Weldon.  All Chartered Physiotherapists working in this practice are required, and expected, to provide services in a manner that safeguards children.  To this end

• Our practice is committed to safeguarding children while under our care and to provide a safe environment in which they can receive physiotherapy.
• Our practice believes that the welfare of children attending our premises / practice is paramount. We are committed to patient-centred practice which is also child-centred in our work with children.
• We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person who attends our practice, including the right to be kept safe and protected from harm, to be listened to, and to be heard.
• Our policy and procedures to safeguard children and young people reflect + comply with National Policy and Ledgislation. They are underpinned by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Tusla Children First – Child Safeguarding Guide 2017, and the Children First Act 2015.
• Our Safe Guarding Policy Statement applies to all members of staff and others working on our behalf.  All staff and others working on our behalf must agree to, and comply with, the policies, procedures and guidance set out in The Children Safe Guarding Policy, which is available on request.
• We will review our Child Safeguarding Statement and our Child Safeguarding Policy at least every 2 years, or sooner if necessary due to evolving service + operational issues or due to changes in Legislation or National Policy.
• Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection