Child Safeguarding Statement

Name of Service & Nature of Work

Stephen Long practices as a Specialist Psychotherapeutic Occupational Therapist and EMDR Therapist with children and adolescents. Stephen offers in-person and virtual therapy services to children up to age 18 years.

Commitment to Safeguarding Children

Stephen is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of children attending the service is prioritised. Procedures are in place to ensure children attending the service are safe from harm, in line with the Children First Act 2015 and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Procedures are informed by the following principles:

Children have the right to be listened to, heard, and taken seriously.
Child protection is everyone’s responsibility.
Equality and respect for every child is maintained.

Therapist Procedures to Safeguard children

Maintaining up-to-date training in Children First.
Garda-vetting and regulation by CORU.
As a mandated person, where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion that a child is being harmed or has been harmed, reporting this to the appropriate authorities of Tusla, the Child & Family Agency and An Garda Siochana. Concerns of harm or abuse may be identified through a child disclosing this in the course of therapy, or direct observation of an incident.
Informing children in age-appropriate language that the therapy space is a safe space to express or disclose concerns related to their safety, and that they will be listened to, heard and believed.
Maintaining compliance with relevant national guidance, policies and legislation on child protection.
Close supervision and monitoring of children while attending the clinic for therapy services.
Agreed procedures in place with caregivers for collection and drop-off of children at their appointments to ensure the child’s safety is prioritised.
The therapy centres run a by-appointment-only service. Other therapists operating out of the centre are required to be Garda-vetted.
Where a parent assigns a nominated adult to drop-off or collect their child from therapy, this is agreed in advance with the therapist. The name and contact details of the nominated person are provided to the therapist. The nominated person must be over 18 years of age. Verification of identity will be completed where required.

Implementation & Review

Child Safeguarding procedures are continually reviewed to ensure adherence to national guidance and legislation, and to ensure that the safety of children is prioritised.