1. Name of service being provided:

Urban Junction provides educational, spiritual and recreational activities, clubs and services to children under 18 years of age and vulnerable adults through a range of community services.

2. Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm:

We, the Management of Urban Junction, under the authority of the Methodist Church in Ireland, are fully compliant with the Children First Act 2015 and Taking Care, the Child Protection Policy of the Methodist Church in Ireland.  We follow the correct procedures and guidelines, we acknowledge our duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we are committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

3. Risk Assessment

We have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while availing of our services. Below is a list of the areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.

Risk identified Procedure in place to manage identified risk
1 Harm caused by member of staff or volunteer Careful recruitment of staff, volunteers and leaders. Ensure that all staff/ helpers are checked by the National Vetting Bureau and that they attend regular training. No one-to-one private contact between adult and child.
2 Kitchen Children are strictly not allowed to enter the kitchen unless there is a supervised activity taking place.
3 Supervision of children We have the correct ratios in place and our children are supervised adequately.  Leaders are fully aware of their supervision obligations and are assigned children who must remain under their care at all times. Doors are shut and careful supervision of the entrance areas takes place.
4 Management of challenging behaviour amongst children Amongst others, the following policies are in place: Health and Safety Policy, Code of Behaviour
5 Toilet areas Separate staff and child toilets in use. Separate cubicles are available. Staff/leaders limit numbers using the toilets at the same time.
6 Care of children with special needs including medical and intimate care needs Two adults are present for all intimate care needs procedures in an appropriate space. Parents will be kept fully informed. All of the children attending our programmes have correct parental permission and information forms. Accident and First Aid Policy in place
7 Visiting Speaker/Teacher/Coach Garda vetting procedures in place. Children remain in the care of the Leader/teacher etc. No one-to-one contact.
8 That there may be need to make a referral to Tusla or An Garda Siochana. We are supported by the Methodist SafeguardingOfficer as well as the procedures outlined in Taking Care.
9 Students participating in work experience All students over 16 years of age are Garda vetted. Child Safeguarding Statement. No one-to-one access, supervised by UJ Team Leader. Children at clubs remain under the insurance of their Secondary School.
10 International Interns Vetting procedures from home country, reference supplied.
11 Outings Outings Checklist. High pupil – leader ratio. Venue and coach insured. Pupils are supervised at all times. No child to be in changing/toilet area alone at anytime. Leaders ensure toilets/changing areas are safe before our pupils enter facility.  Venues chosen after careful consideration of safety.
12 UJ Access Access to building is restricted and monitored. Children in clubs and activities are supervised at all times.
13 Use of UJ Building by other agencies/clubs It is required that the following is presented to UJ Management before using the building: vetting procedures and proof, CSS Policy in place, Proof of public liability insurance.
14 Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices No phones or devices allowed during activities. No unsupervised computer access. Only designated leaders will take photographs and these will only be stored and used with parents permission.

Training of UJ personnel in Child Protection Matters:

  • Child Safeguarding Statement and Tusla procedures made available to all staff and volunteers. CSS will be reviewed annually. All personnel are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015.
  • Mandated staff and volunteers will complete the Túsla eLearning Programme and the Methodist Safeguarding Training.
  • UJ retains all records of staff and volunteers.

4. Procedures

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children(2017), and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:

  • Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against staff and volunteers of a child availing of our service;
  • Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers to work with children;
  • Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm;
  • Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla, An Garda Siochana and the Safeguarding Officer of the Methodist Church;
  • Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons;
  • Procedure for appointing our Designated Person(s).

All procedures listed are available upon request.

5. Implementation

We recognise that implementation is an on-going process. Our service is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our service.

This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in June each year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

6.  Safeguarding Officers

We have the following as our Safeguarding Officers:

Belinda Briggs (Manager) and Richard Phillips (Volunteer)

085 7739723