1. Background
The Children First Act 2015 requires organisations that are providers of ‘relevant services’ to publish a Child Safeguarding Statement (Schedule 1 of the Act provides a list of work or activities that constitute a ‘relevant service’).
This Statement details the relevant services provided by Dublin Bus to children and the principles and procedures in place to ensure, as far as practicable, that a child availing of these services is safe from harm. The Statement will be reviewed every two years or sooner if there has been a material change in any of the services to which it refers.
2. Relevant services provided by Dublin Bus
In preparing this Child Safeguarding Statement, Dublin Bus undertook a review of all services provided to identify those that fall under the definition of a relevant service as defined by the Children First Act 2015.
Two services were identified, and a risk assessment of each service was undertaken. This statement details the nature of these services, the principles and procedures in place to safeguard children from harm while availing of these services and the risk assessment for each.
The services identified were:
- HGV mechanic apprenticeship programme
- Transition Year work experience programme
A. HGV mechanic apprenticeship programme
Dublin Bus provides a HGV mechanic apprenticeship programme annually. This service falls under the relevant service outlined in the Children First Act 2015, Schedule 1, 5 (a):
“Any work or activity which consists of the provision of educational, research, training, cultural, recreational, leisure, social or physical activities to children.”
Principles in place to safeguard children from harm
Dublin Bus is committed to protecting and facilitating the full participation of young people on apprenticeships. It aims to create a safe environment for young people on apprenticeships, and is committed to ensuring their safety and welfare at all times in accordance with the following documents:
- Children First Act 2015
- Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2017)
- Dublin Bus Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
- CIÉ Code of Conduct for Employees
- Solas Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices
Risk assessment
Dublin Bus has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a young person employed as an apprentice HGV mechanic. The risks identified are listed below, along with procedures in place for managing these risks.
| Risk identified | Procedure in place to manage risk |
|---|---|
| Risk of harm to a child | • Dublin Bus Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy in place • CIÉ Code of Conduct for Employees • Employee training includes includes Tusla ‘Introduction to Children First’ e-learning programme. |
| Risk of harm or concern not being recognised or reported | • Dublin Bus Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy includes reporting procedures • Employee training includes Tusla ‘Introduction to Children First’ e-learning programme |
| Risk that procedures do not reflect Children First Guidance 2017 | • Procedures reviewed and updated to take account of Children First Act and guidance documents from Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
B. Transition Year work experience programme
Dublin Bus provides a limited number of work experience placements for Transition Year secondary school students. This service falls under the relevant service outlined in the Children First Act 2015, Schedule 1, 5 (a):
“Any work or activity which consists of the provision of educational, research, training, cultural, recreational, leisure, social or physical activities to children.”
Principles in place to safeguard children from harm
Dublin Bus is committed to protecting and facilitating the full participation of young people on work experience. It aims to create a safe environment for young people on work experience, and is committed to ensuring their safety and welfare at all times in accordance with the following documents:
- Children First Act 2015
- Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2017)
- Dublin Bus Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
- CIÉ Code of Conduct for Employees
Risk assessment
Dublin Bus has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while availing of this service. The risks identified are listed below, along with procedures in place for managing these risks.
| Risk identified | Procedure in place to manage risk |
|---|---|
| Risk of harm to a child | • Dublin Bus Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy in place • CIÉ Code of Conduct for Employees • Employee training includes Tusla ‘Introduction to Children First’ e-learning programme. |
| Risk of harm or concern not being recognised or reported | • Dublin Bus Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy includes reporting procedures • Employee training includes Tusla ‘Introduction to Children First’ e-learning programme. |
| Risk that procedures do not reflect Children First Guidance 2017 | • Procedures reviewed and updated to take account of Children First Act and guidance documents from Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
3. Procedures
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s ‘Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice’.
In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:
- Recruitment and Selection Policy
- Garda Vetting Policy
- Provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information
4. Implementation
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Dublin Bus is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our service. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in October 2024, or sooner if there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.
For further information or queries please contact Vivienne Kavanagh ([email protected]) the Relevant Person for Dublin Bus under the Children First Act 2015.
Signed:
Andrea Keane
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Updated November 2022