Book to help arts groups protect children

INFORMATION on how arts organisations can protect children, deal with allegations against staff and accidents is featured in a book launched yesterday.

Arts Minister John O’Donoghue welcomed the Arts Council’s publication of the guidelines for the protection of young people in the arts sector.

The book is the fruit of a two-year process involving more than 76 arts organisations, including the Council of National Cultural Institutions, local authorities, the Health Service Executive and the Arts Council.

The guidelines will assist arts organisations in putting together their own policies and procedures for children's ‘activities.

The 40-page publication also includes advice on staff codes of behaviour, recruitment and selection.

It has been produced in line with the Department of Health and Children’s Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

With detailed sections on inappropriate staff behaviour, in dealings with children - including emotional as well as physical abuse - the publication provides a suggested framework for a complete child protection policy.

“It is important for young people to create and enjoy art. It is equally important and necessary to take every step to ensure that the welfare and protection of young people is planned for and maintained while they are engaged in and enjoying arts activity of every kind,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

Eighteen youth workers and volunteers, meanwhile, have received awards for completing the first trainers programme for child protection in the youth work sector.

The Keeping Safe Programme allows the group, from 12 youth organisations, to train others involved in coordinating activities for young people.

The training programme is part of the National Youth Council of Ireland’s National Child Protection Unit.

“The knowledge these trainers have will help draw greater attention to the protection and safety of all young people participating in youth work activities,” said Minister of State Síle de Valera, who presented the accreditations yesterday.

* For a copy of the Arts Council publication, call 01-6180256, email [e-mail] or visit www.artscouncil.ie