Plan International Ireland recognises that violence against children and young people is prevalent throughout the world and in all societies. Violence against children includes physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment, and sexual abuse and exploitation. Furthermore, children and young people may be more vulnerable and at risk due to gender identity, sexuality, ethnic origin, class, disability, age, or illness.
Plan International Ireland is fully committed to ending violence against children and young people and acknowledge that we have a duty to promote gender responsive safeguarding of children and young people and particularly those with whom we work or with whom we are in contact.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that:
Plan International Ireland recognises the rights of all children within our care to be protected from harm in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Our Child Protection Mission is to:
“Create ‘child safe’ environments – internally and externally – where children are respected, protected, empowered and active in their own protection, and where staff are skilled, confident, competent, and well supported in meeting their protection responsibilities through clear policies, procedures, and good practice”.
We are fully committed to the gender responsive safeguarding of all children and young people from all forms of violence. We take very seriously our responsibility and duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, and anyone who represents us does not in any way harm, abuse or commit any other act of violence against children and young people or place them at risk of the same.
While safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility, the Safeguarding Focal Point (SFP) is the key contact for Safeguarding queries and concerns. Any concerns, however minor, should be brought to their attention immediately. In the absence of the SFP, the CEO or the Global Safeguarding Manager at Plan International Global Hub should be contacted. A designated member of Plan International Ireland’s Board is responsible for considering Safeguarding in all board decisions.
All staff members, Board members, interns and volunteers are required to have a good understanding of the basic procedures.
Anyone connected with Plan International Ireland and/or travelling overseas to visit a project is obliged to sign and abide by the policy and procedures in place, including but not limited to staff, board members, child sponsors, journalists, donors, etc. Implementation of the policy is monitored through an annual Safeguarding Audit, risk assessments, and a policy review every two years. All new staff members, interns, Board members and relevant suppliers receive a Safeguarding Induction within one week of joining Plan.
Plan International Ireland adheres to Irish child protection standards, as outlined in ‘Children First Act’ – and as such, this national policy has been enhanced to include considerations of the Irish Children First Act 2015, in line with the TULSA guide, Child Safeguarding; A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice.
The nature of our work means we hold details of children and their families. We are solely responsible for ensuring that the information is not abused and is used for the intended purpose.
We will only use children’s images or personal information in our marketing, advocacy, fundraising, communication, and programme work in ways that will safeguard their dignity and protect their rights. Permission is always obtained for these images and information.
All information and images are held securely, databases are password protected and access to information is given on the basis of role.
Suppliers and agencies working on our behalf are made aware of our safeguarding policy and must ensure that their operations offer the same degree of protection.
Plan International Ireland monitor all internet traffic and web usage for inappropriate content.
Plan International supporters include all donors who make financial contributions individually and/or as a group, company, or organisation. Supporters also include others who donate their time, public standing, expertise, and enthusiasm to further our work. To ensure that we do not put children at risk through contact with supporters, we have the following safeguards in place:
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and it is everyone’s responsibility to report any potential or actual risk to a child or young person’s wellbeing and safety. An incident report form should be used to record any abuse, attempted abuse or suspected abuse of a young person and shared with the Safeguarding Focal Point. The Safeguarding Focal Point will follow up with staff, Board members, local Plan International offices and external bodies as relevant and appropriate.
For any questions, concerns or for more information, please contact Emily Lyon, our Safeguarding Officer or email Safeguarding.Ireland@plan-international.org.
