Child Protection/Safeguarding

Water Safety Ireland – Child Safeguarding & Protection

Water Safety Ireland is dedicated to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all children and young people who engage in our water safety programmes, training, and activities. We are committed to taking all reasonable steps to protect them from harm, abuse, discrimination, or degrading treatment, and to upholding their rights, wishes, and dignity.

Our Commitment Includes:

· Recognising that every child has the right to feel safe and be protected from harm in all environments, including aquatic settings.

· Ensuring that all instructors, volunteers, and staff are carefully recruited, vetted, and trained, and that they accept responsibility for safeguarding the wellbeing of children in their care.

· Responding promptly and appropriately to any concerns or incidents that may affect the welfare of children participating in our programmes.

· Providing clear channels for parents, guardians, and children to raise concerns or seek support.

· Appointing Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) within our local structures to promote best practice and support child welfare locally.

· Designating a National Designated Liaison Person to oversee the implementation of child protection policies and procedures across Water Safety Ireland.

· Assigning Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) to act as points of contact with statutory authorities in cases where child protection concerns arise.

· Ensuring confidentiality and compliance with national child protection legislation and guidelines when handling allegations or concerns.

· Reviewing and updating our child protection policies and procedures regularly to ensure they remain effective and in line with best practice.

· Promoting and enforcing our Code of Ethics policy, which outlines the standards of conduct expected from all participants, instructors, volunteers, parents/guardians, and staff.

· Maintaining a culture of good practice, where respectful, inclusive, and safe behaviour is modelled and encouraged at all levels of our organisation.

For further information or support, please contact Water Safety Ireland’s National DLP – Ashling Nesbitt – nationaldlp@watersafety.ie

Designated Liaison Person (DLP) – Roles & Responsibilities

The Designated Liaison Person is the individual appointed to act as the main point of contact for child protection concerns within Water Safety Ireland. Their role is critical in ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed and that concerns are handled appropriately and confidentially.

Core Responsibilities

· Receive and assess child protection concerns

· Act as the first point of contact for staff, volunteers, children, and parents regarding child welfare concerns.

· Ensure that concerns are taken seriously and assessed promptly.

· Report concerns to statutory authorities

· Liaise with Tusla (Child and Family Agency) and/or An Garda Síochána when a child protection or welfare report needs to be made.

· Ensure that reporting is done in line with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

· Maintain confidentiality and accurate records

· Keep secure, detailed records of all concerns, disclosures, and actions taken.

· Share information only on a need-to-know basis, in line with legal and ethical standards.

· Support and advise staff and volunteers

· Provide guidance on child protection procedures and best practice.

· Assist in interpreting and applying Water Safety Ireland’s Child Safeguarding Statement and policies.

· Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies

· Monitor the implementation of child protection procedures across programmes and activities.

· Promote awareness of safeguarding responsibilities among all personnel.

· Participate in training and development

· Attend relevant child protection training and ensure ongoing professional development.

· Encourage others within the organisation to engage in safeguarding training.

Children First E-Learning Programme

Tusla has worked with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE to develop a universal e-learning programme called ‘Introduction to Children First’. The programme has been written to support people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise. You can access the programme here: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/

Upcoming Events for DLPs 

To be confirmed

Policy Listings

WSI Child Safeguarding Statement

ETHICS AND CODE OF PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN

Children First – A publication from the Department of Children And Youth Affairs

Local DLP Contact Information

To be confirmed