Child Safeguard Statement

Name of service being provided

1. Digital and analogue photography courses for secondary school students during school holidays

2. Specific photography workshops tailored toward or each individual school.

3. Tailored photography workshops for young people with special needs in conjunction with each organisation.

4. Transition Year work placements.

Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm

The Darkroom’s mission is to keep analogue photography on the map in Dublin. We are the only place in Ireland dedicated to analogue photography and open to the public. We work with a lot of artists and also teach courses, not only in analogue but also in digital photography. The magic of a black and white darkroom is such a great experience for everyone. This is particularly beneficial for young people to experience from both an artistic and scientific aspect of photography. Our space is set up for young people to use the equipment needed in a safe and protected environment. We believe in a student-centred learning space to allow each individual to be creative in their own way. Both the welfare and safety of each young person is paramount to our ethos.

Risk assessment

We have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while availing of our services. Below is a list of the areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.

Risk identified

Risk of a child being harmed by a member of the studio, a member of staff or another person while participating in workshops or on work experience.

Procedure in place to manage
All studio personnel, are provided with a copy of the studio’s Child Safeguarding Statement. Safe recruitment procedures involve: Taking all reasonable steps to eliminate people who are not suitable for working with children, and insisting all staff and members working with children are Garda vetted. It’s mandatory for all members of staff to have completed the Child first Tulsa online program.

Risk identified

Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly.

Procedure in place to manage
Staff and facilitators are aware of the role of the Mandated Person and the (General Manager), who have received training in child safeguarding concerns and levels of concern for reporting.

Risk identified

Risk of harm due to inappropriate use of images of young people.

Procedure in place to manage
Images of any child or young person participating in our activities or are workshops or both organised by The Darkroom will not be used for any purposes
without the consent of the parent/caregiver/guardian.

Risk identified

Risk of harm due to the bullying of a young person.

Procedure in place to manage
Our policy outlines what constitutes bullying and harassment, who to make a complaint to and what action The Darkroom will take in dealing with an offence of this nature.

Risk identified

Risk of harm not noted by The Darkroom Personnel: Board members, staff members, workshop facilitators.

Procedure in place to manage
Introduce all Board/staff to The Darkroom’s Child Safeguarding Policy; roles, reporting procedures and codes of behaviour. Provision of child safeguarding training provided by The Darkroom as part of induction.

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 procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:

1. Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against workers/volunteers of a child availing of our service

2. Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children

3. Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and
information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm

4. Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla

5. Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons in the relevant service who are the Mandated Person. Or where there are procedures for appointing a relevant person

All procedures listed are available upon request

Implementation

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our service 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 January 2023 or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.

Mandate Officer: Lynda O’Donoghue

Phone: 0879255233

Email info@darkroom.ie

Further queries please contact Mella Travers CEO

Phone: 0872269525

Email: info@darkroom.ie