Do:

• Treat all young people, children and vulnerable adults with respect and dignity.

• Report any incidents or issues related to the protection of children or vulnerable adults to your host organisation and, when appropriate, to project mentor.

• Ensure the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults by careful supervision, proper pre-planning and using safe methods at all times.

• Actively encourage all children, young people and vulnerable adults to get involved – do not discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race, gender, social class or ability.

• Use appropriate physical contact when responding to the need of the child or vulnerable adult i.e. where it is initiated by the child

• Respect a young person, vulnerable adult or child’s right to privacy, personal space and dignity. Respect the personal and sexual boundaries of others.

• Be a role model; remember that children learn from example – be positive in your language and behaviour.

• If the organisation has its own child/vulnerable adult protection policy, make sure you read it.

• If the organisation has a designated Child Protection Officer, make sure you know who it is.

• Protect yourself from false accusation by:

Not spending excessive amounts of time alone with a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Not administering first aid or other care to children, young people or vulnerable adult that involves removing their clothes – unless in the presence of others and with the person’s permission.

 

Don’t:

• Take pictures of children without permission from their parents/guardian and the project

• Share pictures of children on social media or any other public platform (you could be prosecuted)

• Spend time alone with a child, young person or vulnerable adult if it can be avoided (never close the door if you are the only adult in the room)

• Raise your voice when talking to a child

• Become overly involved with any one child, young person or vulnerable adult.

• Tolerate favouritism.

• Use any kind of physical punishment.

• Ridicule or reject a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

 

We recommend you to follow this free online Child Protection Training:

https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/

 

Useful Publications:

Our Duty to Care, Department of Health and Children fact sheets:

www.dohc.ie/publications/our_duty_to _care.html

Children First: National Guidelines for the protection and welfare of children:

www.dohc.ie/publications/children_first.html