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Blessing Hands Foundation
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An adult’s hand resting protectively on a child’s shoulder in a playground

Statutory information

Child Safeguarding Statement

Under the Children First Act 2015, organisations providing services to children must have a written Child Safeguarding Statement. Ours is published in full below and available on request.

Download [CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT PDF]

Our commitment

  • The safety and well-being of children is our top priority.
  • We have zero tolerance for abuse or exploitation of any kind.
  • Children have the right to be heard, respected and protected.

Scope

This statement applies to all staff, volunteers, directors, contractors and partners acting on behalf of Blessing Hands Foundation, in every activity we run.

What we protect against

Physical abuse
Deliberately causing physical harm or injury to a child.
Emotional abuse
Persistent ill-treatment that damages a child's emotional development or sense of worth.
Sexual abuse
Using a child for sexual gratification, including contact and non-contact acts.
Neglect
Failing to meet a child's basic needs for food, shelter, supervision, health care or affection.
Domestic abuse
Harm caused to a child by living with coercive, controlling or violent behaviour in the home.
Online abuse
Harm carried out through digital means, including grooming, exploitation and bullying.

Safe recruitment

  • Garda vetting through the National Vetting Bureau for all roles involving contact with children or vulnerable adults
  • Verification of identity
  • Reference checks
  • Mandatory safeguarding training before a role begins, refreshed regularly

Report a concern

If a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.

To report a child protection concern to the statutory authorities, contact Tusla — the Child and Family Agency — or An Garda Síochána.

Our Designated Liaison Person

[NAME]

[EMAIL]

[PHONE]

What happens when a concern is raised

  1. Step 1: Recognise

    Notice the signs or hear the disclosure. You do not need to be certain.

  2. Step 2: Respond

    Stay calm, listen, do not investigate or promise secrecy.

  3. Step 3: Record

    Write down what you saw or were told, in the words used, with dates and times.

  4. Step 4: Report

    Pass the concern to our Designated Liaison Person without delay.

  5. Step 5: Refer

    The DLP refers to Tusla or An Garda Síochána where the threshold is met.

  6. Step 6: Follow up

    We check that the referral was received and support those involved.

Concerns are handled confidentially and shared only with those who need to know.

We cannot promise confidentiality where a child is at risk. Information will be passed to the statutory authorities where that is necessary to keep someone safe.

Mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015 have a legal duty to report concerns above the defined threshold to Tusla.