Child Safeguarding Statement

Child Safeguarding Statement

SciFest CLG (“the company”) is committed to providing a safe environment for children and young people. Children’s welfare and safety are very important to us.

Nature of Service provided by SciFest

SciFest is the largest second-level STEM fair programme in Ireland. The fairs take place locally in schools, regionally in third level colleges and nationally. The company supports the organisation of the fairs at local and regional level, including with resources, awards and the provision of judges. Each year the company organises a national fair and supports and organises the participation of winning students in international events

The aim of the programme is to encourage a love of science, technology, engineering and maths through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning and to provide a forum for students at local, regional and national level to present and display their scientific investigations.

At SciFest, children and young people have a right to:

• Be safe
• Be listened to
• Be treated with fairness and respect
• Be free from bullying
• Get help and support if they have been hurt, neglected or badly treated

Everyone working with SciFest respects these rights. This is part of our Code of Behaviour.

If a child or young person is being hurt, bullied or abused by a representative of SciFest or while participating in an event organised by the company or if someone is worried that a child or young person is being so treated they should contact our Designated Liaison Person (DLP):

Any information provided will be kept strictly private and shared only with persons who need to know and can help.

Risk Assessment

In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, SciFest has carried out an assessment of the potential for harm to a child while participating in SciFest activities. The identified risks and the procedures for managing them are summarised below.

Policies and Procedures

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

• Provision of child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm
• Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against a member of staff or volunteer
• Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla
• Code of behaviour for staff and volunteers
• Safe recruitment policy
• Appointment of a Designated Liaison Person and Deputy
• Confidentiality policy
• Complaints policy
• Accidents and incidents reporting policy
• Maintenance of a list of the persons who are mandated persons
• Appointment of a relevant person
• Anti-bullying policy
• Garda vetting policy

Implementation of SciFest Child Safeguarding Statement

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing 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 March 2022, or sooner if there has been a material change in any of the issues to which it refers.

Signed: Sheila Porter (Provider)

Name: Sheila Porter

Email: sheila.porter@scifest.ie

Tel.: 086 379 6143

For enquiries, please contact: Sheila Porter

[Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015]