Child Protection Policy
The Heritage Council has a corporate duty to promote the safety and well-being of children with whom it is in contact in any capacity.
The organisation’s Child Protection Policy Document and Child Safeguarding Statement deal with the recognition, reporting and management of child safety concerns and will assist anyone working on behalf of The Heritage Council in having due regard for the rights and interests of children.
The Heritage Council interacts with young people in several different ways; through the provision of the Heritage in Schools programme, Heritage Officer Projects, other grant aided projects and education projects.
The Heritage Council is tasked with putting in place suitable child protection guidelines and policies in line with Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs also ensures compliance with this obligation through the Service Level Agreement Process and also through the oversight Committee on Child Protection.
Given the wider societal concerns in relation to child protection it is essential that strong guidelines regarding child protection are in place to support all staff and those supported by the Heritage Council who may interact with children in any capacity and to ensure protection of any child in our care.