Child Safeguarding Policy

Effective date: 24 March 2025  ·  artroom109.com

Art Room 109  ·  Informed by the Children First Act 2015 and Tusla Child Protection and Welfare Policy

1. Introduction

Art Room 109 is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and creative environment for children participating in our arts programmes. We recognise our duty to protect children from harm and ensure their wellbeing while engaging in our workshops, classes, and events.

2. Principles of child protection

  • A child-centred approach where all children are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

  • All children have the right to protection from harm, abuse, and neglect.

  • A safe and supportive creative learning environment is maintained at all times.

  • All staff and volunteers comply with national child protection legislation.

  • Concerns about child welfare are reported to the appropriate authorities.

3. Risk assessment & prevention

  • Safe recruitment — all facilitators, artists, and volunteers must undergo Garda Vetting.

  • Code of conduct — all staff adhere to best practices including appropriate communication, supervision, and professional boundaries.

  • Safe spaces — workshops take place in safe, age-appropriate, and supervised environments.

  • One-to-one contact is avoided where possible. If necessary, it occurs in open, observable spaces with supervision.

  • Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate and are always informed about their child's involvement.

4. Reporting concerns

  • Any concerns must be reported to the Designated Liaison Person (DLP), who will assess the situation and report to Tusla – Child and Family Agency if necessary.

  • All suspicions or disclosures of abuse are treated seriously and documented securely.

  • Art Room 109 ensures full cooperation with Tusla and An Garda Síochána in any investigation.

5. Training & awareness

  • All facilitators complete the Tusla eLearning module on Children First.

  • Regular child safeguarding training is provided to all staff.

6. Confidentiality & record-keeping

  • All child protection concerns are handled with strict confidentiality.

  • Records are kept securely in line with GDPR and data protection regulations.

7. Review & compliance

This policy is reviewed annually. A self-audit is completed as required by the Arts Council's Child Protection Framework.

Tusla Children First →Arts Council Child Protection Guidelines →

Designated liaison person

Kate Kelly
Designated Liaison Person (DLP), Art Room 109
hello@artroom109.com