Child Protection Policy

Celtic Tabletop & DagdaCon Child Protection Policy

1. Statement of Policy

Celtic Tabletop and our event, DagdaCon, are committed to the safety and well-being of all attendees, especially children. While our event is not specifically for children and is not run as a childcare service, we recognise our responsibility to protect any children who may be present at our events. This policy is designed to provide a framework for creating a safe environment and responding effectively to any child protection concerns.

This policy applies to all committee members, staff, and volunteers of Celtic Tabletop and DagdaCon.

2. Scope

This policy outlines our commitment to child protection and applies to all situations and spaces under the direct control of Celtic Tabletop at our events. It is to be read in conjunction with all other Celtic Tabletop and DagdaCon policies, including our Code of Conduct and Volunteer Recruitment Policy.

3. Principles

We are committed to a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for everyone. Our key principles for child protection are:

  • The welfare of the child is paramount. In all our activities, we will prioritise the safety and well-being of the child.

  • Respect and dignity. We will treat all children and young people with respect, fairness, and dignity.

  • Zero tolerance. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

  • Supervision. We will not provide unsupervised access to children. Children remain the responsibility of their parents or legal guardians at all times.

4. Our Responsibilities

  • Volunteer Vetting: Any volunteer or staff member whose role may involve unsupervised access to children will be subject to Garda vetting, as outlined in our Volunteer Recruitment Policy.

  • Training: We will provide training for relevant staff and volunteers to ensure they understand their responsibilities under this policy. This training will cover how to identify and respond to child protection concerns, and the appropriate reporting procedures.

  • Reporting: We will maintain clear reporting procedures for any child protection concerns. All staff and volunteers are mandated to report any concerns immediately to a designated person.

  • Designated Person: The event director or a designated committee member will act as the point of contact for all child protection concerns.

5. Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians

  • Supervision: Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the constant supervision of their children at DagdaCon.

  • Child's Behavior: Parents and guardians are responsible for their child's behaviour. Any behavior that violates the DagdaCon Code of Conduct will be addressed with the parent or guardian.

6. Responding to Concerns

If a staff member or volunteer has a child protection concern, they must:

  1. Listen carefully to the child or person making the report.

  2. Report immediately to the designated person or a senior member of the event committee.

  3. Do not promise confidentiality. The person with the concern must be informed that the information must be shared with the relevant authorities.

  4. Do not investigate. The role of the committee is to report and document, not to investigate the allegation.

  5. Record the details. The designated person will document the report, including what was said, the names of all parties involved, and the date and time.

7. Reporting to Authorities

We will report any allegations of child abuse to the appropriate authorities in Ireland without delay. We will cooperate fully with any subsequent investigation.

8. Conclusion

This policy is our commitment to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all. It is not a substitute for the law. We will continue to review and update this policy as needed to reflect best practices and legal requirements.