EM Ireland is committed to ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance.
The Board presents an Annual Report and Audited Accounts to our members at our AGM (usually held in September).
EM Ireland is committed to ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance.
The Board presents an Annual Report and Audited Accounts to our members at our AGM (usually held in September).
EM Ireland is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, membership organisation. We are funding through three main sources. Firstly, as we are primarily a membership-based organisation – members pay an annual subscription. We also receive a grant in aid from the Dept of Foreign Affairs. Lastly, we compete for projects and tenders like other NGOs in the country from a variety of different sources
In line with funding challenges being faced by many not-for-profits, we strive to diversify our sustainable funding streams.
Our income is spent on our programmes, activities and information resources in line with the organisation’s goals and objectives. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are keenly aware of ensuring value for money in everything we do. We work hard to achieve more with less.
Data Privacy Notice for Website
European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland) (‘the Data Controller’) is committed to ensuring full compliance with our obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and relevant Irish legislation. This Privacy Statement sets out how we deal with your personal data.
Your personal data
Your personal data is any information that can directly or indirectly identify you e.g. name, email address, phone number.
Your rights
EM Ireland is committed to protecting your rights under GDPR, these include:
Types of data we hold
The data we collect on you is data which you provide to us when you subscribe to one of our newsletters, attend or book a place at one of our events, fill out a feedback form, apply for a job or a stage, or join as a member. These may include your name, email, phone number, organisation, or job title.
Why we collect your data
We keep personal data for the following purposes:
Your personal data may also be anonymised and used for statistical purposes.
Sharing your personal data
In certain circumstance, we need to share personal data in compliance with in pursuit of legitimate interests of EM Ireland, for example the use of processors to manage communications, surveys or the secure storage of your data. Where EM Ireland engages third parties to process data on its behalf, it will ensure via a data processing agreement with the third party, that the third party takes the measures necessary to maintain the organisation’s commitment to protecting data.
International Transfer
All personal data is stored within the European Economic Area or countries that have been designated as adequate by the European Commission. We will not transfer any data to a third country or international organisation without your explicit consent and without appropriate privacy safeguards in place.
How long do we keep your data?
We keep data in accordance with the guidance set out within our formal records retention policies and do not maintain data beyond what is absolutely required by law.
Changes to our policy
In case we make essential changes to the privacy policy, you will be notified through our website or e-mail.
Further information
For further information please contact the EM Ireland Data Protection Representative via email info@europeanmovement.ie or by writing to: Data Protection, European Movement Ireland, 8 Lower Fitzwilliam St, Dublin 2, D02 W426.
Complaints
You can contact the Data Protection Commissioner (Ireland) on 01 7650100 / 1800437 737 , via the Commission’s online webforms here or by writing to: The Data Protection Commissioner, 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28, Ireland.
European Movement Ireland (hereinafter ‘EM Ireland’) is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all the children and young people with whom we work. Our policy on child protection is in accordance with “Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children” (Department of Children and Youth Affairs).
This policy applies to all employees, stagiaires and volunteers who have contact with children and young people through their work on behalf of EM Ireland.
All staff members, stagiaires and volunteers will be made aware of and be familiar with the child protection policy and the role and identity of the Designated Liaison Person during induction. Every staff member, stagiaire and volunteer will be required to sign a declaration of compliance with the child protection policy.
We will review our guiding principles and child safeguarding procedures every two years or sooner if necessary due to service issues or changes in legislation or national policy.
EM Ireland will ensure that our recruitment and hiring practices include procedures to ensure the safety and welfare of all adults and young people involved in the organisation.
We will ensure that there is a Designated Liaison Person and a Deputy Designated Liaison Person in place at all times and that these persons are clearly identified to all staff, stagiaires, volunteers and any other relevant persons.
Our Designated Liaison Person is | Ryan Levis |
Contact details | 086 127 7237 |
The Designated Liaison Person has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the child protection and welfare policy is promoted and implemented. The role of the Designated Liaison Person involves the following duties:
Examples of reasonable grounds for concern are:
For further information see Appendix 1 and also www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/children-first/
In the event of a child / young person disclosing an incident of abuse it is essential that this is dealt with sensitively and professionally by the individual involved. In such circumstances, the individual should:
Parents and staff who are working with children and young adults or who attend child protection training may disclose abuse which took place during their childhood. A disclosure of abuse by an adult which took place during their childhood, must be noted or recorded.
In these cases it is essential that consideration is given to the current risk to any child who may be in contact. If any risk is deemed to exist to any child who may be in contact with the alleged abuser, a report of the allegation should be made to the Child and Family Agency without delay. It is essential to establish whether there is any current risk to any child who may be in contact with the alleged abuser revealed is such disclosures.
If any risk is deemed to exist to a child who may be in contact with an alleged abuser, the Designated Liaison Person should report the allegation to Tusla, Child and Family Agency without delay.
The National Counselling Service is in place to listen to, value and understand those who have been abused in childhood. The service is a professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service and is available free of charge in all regions of the country. See http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/Mental_Health_Services/National_Counselling_Service/
Any staff member, stagiaire or volunteer who has received a disclosure of child abuse or a disclosure of retrospective abuse or who has concerns about a child should bring them to the attention of the Designated Liaison Person immediately.
Where the Designated Liaison Person considers that a child protection or welfare concern meets the reasonable grounds for concern criteria outlined below, then the Designated Liaison Person can make a referral to Tusla.
The Designated Liaison Person will ensure that the parents/ carers are informed that a report/referral had been made to Tusla, Child and Family Agency or An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, unless to do so would be likely to endanger the child.
Where the Designated Liaison Person remains uncertain he/she should contact Tusla, Child and Family Agency for informal advice relating to the allegation, concern or disclosure. After consultation with the Duty Social Worker, the Designated Liaison Person will then take one of following options:
a) Report the allegation, concern or disclosure to the relevant authority (e.g. Tusla, An Garda Síochána, etc.) using the standard reporting form from Children First and in the case of out of hours or immediate danger contact An Garda Síochána; or
b) Not report the allegations, concern or disclosure. In those cases where the Designated Liaison Person decides not make a referral, the individual staff member, stagiaire or volunteer who raised the concern should be given a clear written statement of the reasons why the Designated Liaison Person is not taking such action. The staff member, stagiaire or volunteer should be advised that if they remain concerned about the situation, they are free as individuals to consult with, or report to, the Tusla or An Garda Síochána.
The Designated Liaison Person will take note of and internally record the reported suspicion, as future suspicions may lead to the decision to make a report and earlier suspicions may provide important information for the statutory child protection agency or An Garda Síochána.
Upon receipt of an allegation, the Designated Liaison Person will notify the CEO.
If the allegation relates to the CEO, the Designated Liaison Person will notify the Board Chairperson of the allegation.
If the allegation relates to the Designated Liaison Person then the Deputy Designated Liaison Person will notify the CEO.
If an allegation is made against a staff member, stagiaire or volunteer, the Designated Liaison Person or the Deputy Designated Liaison Person, there are two parts to the process, 1) dealing with the allegation of abuse and 2) dealing with the employee/ volunteer. Where possible, these two pieces should be dealt with by two different people. There are two different procedures that should be followed:
a) The safety of the child is the first priority of EM Ireland and all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the child and other children/young people are safe.
b) The Designated Liaison Person will deal with the procedure involving the child/young person and the reporting to Tusla, Child and Family.
a) The Designated Liaison Person and the CEO will work in close co-operation with each other and with the Child and Family Agency and An Garda Síochána.
b) If a formal report is being made, the CEO will notify the staff member, stagiaire or volunteer that an allegation has been made and what the nature of the allegation is. The staff member, stagiaire or volunteer has a right to respond to this and this response should be documented and retained. EM Ireland will ensure that the principle of natural justice will apply whereby a person is considered innocent until proven otherwise.
c) The CEO will suspend the staff member, stagiaire or volunteer with pay (where appropriate). In the case where the staff member, stagiaire or volunteer is not suspended the level of supervision of the individual will be increased.
d) The CEO will liaise closely with Tusla Child and Family Agency and An Garda Síochána to ensure that the actions taken by EM Ireland will not undermine or frustrate any investigations.
e) The protective measures which can be taken to ensure the safety of children and young people can include the following:
Putting in place good procedures in recruitment and training practice is a central element in ensuring the safety and welfare of all adults and young people involved in the organisation.
Named Service will not employ, contract or involve as a volunteer, any person to work with children or young adults who has a criminal conviction for violent crime, sexual crime, drugs related offences, or any other offences deemed inappropriate in relation to work with children.
In engaging staff (long-term, short-term or event-based), stagiaires or volunteers the following procedures will be followed:
Induction training for any new staff will include training on the child protection policy.
In many instances, EM Ireland will work collaboratively with schools and other agencies in organising events with children/ young people involved. Where the event is being run in the name of EM Ireland, our Child Protection guidelines will apply.
Under the Data Protection Act every person has a right to establish the existence of personal data, to have access to any such data relating to him and to have inaccurate data rectified or erased. EM Ireland’s Data Controller will ensure that data that is collected fairly, is accurate and up-to-date, is kept for lawful purposes and is not used or disclosed in any manner incompatible with those purposes.
All data in relation to child protection records collected must be stored in a safe and confidential manner in a secure locked cabinet. Only the Designated Liaison Person and the Deputy Designated Liaison Person will have access to this information.
This Policy will be reviewed in 2022.
Child abuse is complicated and can take different forms, but usually consists of one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
Neglect can be defined in terms of an omission where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, and or medical care.
“The threshold of significant harm is reached when the child’s needs are neglected to the extent that his or her well-being and/or development are severely affected”.
“Neglect generally becomes apparent in different ways over a period of time rather than at one specific point. For example, a child who suffers a series of minor injuries may not be having his or her needs met in terms of necessary supervision and safety. A child whose height or weight is significantly below average may be being deprived of adequate nutrition. A child who consistently misses school may be being deprived of intellectual stimulation”.
Emotional abuse is normally to be found in the relationship between a care-giver and a child rather than in a specific event or pattern of events. It occurs when a child’s need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met. Emotional abuse can be manifested in terms of the child’s behavioural, cognitive, affective or physical functioning e.g. ‘anxious’ attachment, non-organic failure to thrive, unhappiness, low self-esteem, educational and developmental underachievement, and oppositional behaviour.
Examples may include:
Physical abuse of a child is that which results in actual or potential physical harm from an interaction, or lack of interaction, which is reasonably within the control of the parent or person in a position of responsibility, power or trust. There may be single or repeated incidents. Physical abuse can involve:
Sexual abuse occurs when “a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or sexual arousal or for that of others”.
Examples of child sexual abuse include:
In relation to child sexual abuse. It should be noted that, for the purposes of the criminal law, the age of consent to sexual intercourse is 17 years for all genders. An Garda Síochána will deal with the criminal aspects of the case under the relevant legislation.
Reckless Endangerment is when a person having authority or control over a child or an abuser, who intentionally or recklessly endangers a child by:
(a) Causing or permitting any child to be placed or left in a situation which creates a substantial risk to the child of being a victim of serious harm or sexual abuse, or
(b) Failing to take reasonable steps to protect a child from such a risk while knowing that the child is in such a situation, is guilty of an offence’.
The above are some of the examples of abuse for more information see section 2 of Children First.
APPENDIX 2
Parental/Guardian Consent Form
For Participation in ____________________________________________________
This parental consent covers the __________________________________________
I understand that there will be suitable supervision while the young people are
in the care of European Movement Ireland.
I understand that the proceedings may be photographed/videoed and used for promotional purposes.
Name of Child / Young Person: ____________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _____________________________________________
Gender:
Contact Phone Number(s): _______________________________________________
Name of School / Organisation: _________________________________________
Other Relevant Information
(Please mention any medical conditions, special needs or dietary requirements)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Contact details for parent/guardian
Name _____________________________________________________________
Daytime phone number: Code_______ Local No. ____________________________
Home phone number: Code_______ Local No. ______________________________
Mobile number: ______________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________
In case of a medical emergency:
In the event of illness or accident, I give permission for medical treatment to be administered where considered necessary by a suitably qualified medical practitioner and/or hospital. I understand that every effort will be made to contact me as soon as possible. In an emergency, I can be contacted at the following telephone numbers:
Signed: _______________________ Name (block letters) _____________________
(Guardian) (Guardian)
Relationship to Child/Young Person:
_____________________________________________
Signed: _______________________
(Young person)
Address: ______________________ Date: _____________________
APPENDIX 3
Standard Form For Reporting Child Protection and/or Welfare Concerns to the Child and Family Agency
Private and Confidential
In case of emergency or outside HSE hours, contact should be made with An Garda
Síochána.
To Principal Social Worker/Designate: ____________________________________
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Gender:
Address: _____________________________________________________________
Age/D.O.B.: ___________________________________________________________
School:_______________________________________________________________
Name of Parent/Guardian: ______________
Name of second Parent/Guardian (if applicable): __________________
Address of Parent/Guardian if different to Child: | Address of second Parent/Guardian if different to Child: |
|
|
Telephone Number:
| Telephone Number:
|
Care and custody arrangements regarding child, if known: _____________________________________________________________________
Household Composition:
Name ________________________________________________________________
Relationship to ________________________________________________________
Child Date of Birth _____________________________________________________
Additional Information eg School/Occupation _______________________________
Note: A separate report form must be completed in respect of each child being reported.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________
Age:
Gender:
Address:______________________________________________________________
Relationship to Child: ___________________________________________________
Occupation:___________________________________________________________
Social Worker(s): _________________________
School: ________________________________
______________________________________ _______________________________________
Public Health Nurse: _____________________
Gardaí: ________________________________
GP: __________________________________
Pre-School/Crèche/Youth Club:________________________________
Hospital: ______________________________________________________________________
Other, Specify e.g. Youth Groups, After School Clubs: _____________________________________________
Yes No
If yes, what is their attitude? __________________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________ Occupation: _____________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: _____________________________________________________________________
Nature and extent of contact with Child/Family: ___________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
Occupation: ___________________________
Signed: _______________________________