Roisin Markham

Last updated 26 April 2026.

This updated policy incorporates specific provisions for BDT Consultancy public consultations, community workshops, educational sessions, and engagements in schools/universities, while aligning with Tusla’s Children First guidance and Garda Vetting requirements.

Purpose

Protects children (under 18) and vulnerable adults during consultancy activities, ensuring compliance with Children First Act 2015, National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding (2025), and Tusla best practices.

Scope

Applies to all staff, contractors, and facilitators in public consultations, community/educational workshops, school/university sessions (even with parents/teachers/lecturers present), and related activities.

Key Principles

– Prioritise welfare in participatory settings like workshops and consultations.

– Promote dignity, consent, and transparency in group/community engagements.

– Report concerns via Designated Liaison Person (DLP).

Activity-Specific Safeguarding

Public Consultations & Community Workshops:

– Assess risks for diverse participants; use inclusive facilitation to spot vulnerabilities.

– Ensure group settings; no unsupervised one-to-one interactions.

Educational Workshops:

– Complete Tusla’s “Introduction to Children First” e-learning (90 mins) before delivery.

– Obtain parental/guardian consent for under-18s; share session plans in advance.

Schools & Universities:

– Coordinate with on-site staff (parents/teachers/lecturers) as primary supervisors.

– Limit sessions to supervised environments; avoid isolated activities.

Recruitment & Training

– Require Garda Vetting for all child/vulnerable adult contact roles (via registered organisations).

– Mandatory training: Children First Level 1 (all staff), DLP Level 2 if applicable; adult safeguarding modules.

– Annual refreshers and risk assessments per engagement.

Reporting Concerns

– Immediate verbal report to DLP, followed by written record.

– DLP assesses and notifies Tusla/An Garda Síochána if reasonable grounds exist (no independent investigation).

– In schools/universities: Inform Designated Liaison Person on-site first.

Code of Conduct

– Professional boundaries: No personal contact details; appropriate physical/digital interactions.

– Images/videos: Consent forms only; no sharing without permission.

– Behaviour: Age-appropriate language; de-escalate tensions in participatory formats.

Review

Annual review; DLP oversees implementation. Non-compliance leads to disciplinary/referral action.

If you have any questions on this policy please contact Roisin Markham, Director of Innovation Services via our contact form.