Child Protection Policy
Policy Statement
Therapy Haven is committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children attending their therapeutic services by ensuring they are protected from neglect, as well as verbal, physical, sexual, and emotional harm.
The welfare of the child is the highest priority.
Therapy Haven recognises that parents and guardians are the primary caregivers and educators of their children and respects the rights and needs of families. However, in cases where a conflict of interest arises, the welfare of the child will always take precedence.
This policy is guided by Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children. A copy of this policy is maintained by the Director of Therapy Haven and is accessible on Therapy Haven’s website.
Therapy Haven upholds the principles of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was ratified by Ireland in 1992.
All therapists operating within Therapy Haven adhere to the policies and procedures of their respective accreditation bodies regarding therapeutic intervention, including child protection. Each therapist is responsible for disclosing their accreditation body, and information regarding their policies is publicly available on the accreditation body’s website.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Director of Therapy Haven serves as the Designated Child Protection Officer responsible for overseeing child protection procedures.
Therapists are responsible for reporting any allegations or suspicions of abuse to the HSE Social Services and/or An Garda Síochána in accordance with legal requirements.
Therapists at Therapy Haven have a duty to uphold and protect the rights of children in their care, following both this policy and the ethical codes established by their accreditation bodies.
All therapists must confirm their suitability to work with children and disclose any past criminal convictions. They must also have undergone Garda Vetting as part of their accreditation process.
Recognising and Responding to Abuse
According to Children First Guidelines, recognising child abuse requires both awareness and a willingness to acknowledge its possibility. Therapy Haven is committed to ensuring that all staff receive training on identifying signs of abuse and the appropriate procedures for reporting concerns.
Therapists will document any observations or information that may indicate a child is at risk. These records will include:
Dates, times, and locations.
Names of those involved.
Context and relevant details.
All records will be securely stored and handled confidentially.
If a child makes a disclosure or implies that they are experiencing abuse, the therapist must handle the situation with utmost sensitivity.
Steps to Follow in the Event of a Disclosure
The therapist will assess whether there are reasonable grounds for reporting the concern to HSE Social Services.
A written record of the child’s disclosure will be created, using the child's exact words as much as possible. This document will be signed and dated by the therapist and stored in a confidential file.
The therapist will make every effort to contact the child’s parents/guardians to discuss the disclosure unless doing so could place the child at greater risk. A written record of this discussion will also be maintained.
If it is determined that a formal report is necessary, the therapist will contact the Duty Social Worker at the HSE via both telephone and written communication.
Therapy Haven remains committed to ensuring that all procedures align with best practices in child protection, prioritising the safety and welfare of every child in its care.