Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment

Children’s Health Foundation is a fundraising organisation working on behalf of sick children and their families in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres across Ireland.

Due to the nature of the Foundation’s work with children and young people through our fundraising activities, campaigns and our presence within the hospital environment, the organisation is considered to be a ‘relevant service’ as defined by the Children First Act 2015. We acknowledge that the Foundation may undertakes activities as detailed under Schedule 1, 5.(b) and 5.(c) of the Children’s First legislation.

We expect that our team may interact with potentially sick children up to the age of 18, while in the presence of their parents/guardians/hospital staff. We always receive parental/guardian consent before engaging in any activities which involve contact with a child. These activities can include attendance at a cheque presentation, a photo call in a hospital (CHI at Crumlin, CHI at Temple Street, CHI at Tallaght, CHI at Connolly) or at a third-party location, or research for a patient story as part of a fundraising campaign. We also offer work experience opportunities to Transition Year students on occasion.

• Team members receive mandatory safeguarding training through TUSLA Children First E-Learning Programme. Team members are required to carry out refresher training on this learning module every 3 years in line with legislation.
• An additional training course must be undertaken by staff acting as the Designated Liaison Person and this will be subject to refresher training in line with the 3-year renewal of Childrens First Certificate.
• We have developed a Child Safeguarding Procedure which is applicable to all team members, as well as to third-party individuals and volunteers. The purpose of this document is to facilitate the safeguarding of children our team members may come into contact with. It details the guiding principles and practices of child safeguarding, the processes for handling and responding to a child who discloses abuse, reporting requirements of a child safeguarding concern, responsibilities of the Designated Liaison Person and internal processes for an allegation against a team member or volunteer.
• We also have a mandatory internal training module based on the content of our Child Safeguarding Procedure: Children’s Health Foundation – Child Safeguarding Practices
• Our procedure and training requirements will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with the Children First Act, and all regulatory guidance for safeguarding best practice.

We have completed a risk assessment of our activities which may involve contact with children and have processes in place to mitigate these risks.

As a provider of a ‘relevant service’, as defined in the Children First Act 2015, Children’s Health Foundation has identified key people to carry out the necessary roles in relation to safeguarding.