Youth Dance Matters Safeguarding Policy

Research conducted by Youth Dance Matters Project

Youth Dance Matters is an interdisciplinary research project that seeks to incorporate knowledge generated from within research participants' embodied perspectives and experience of the art form itself. The project aims to re-orientate the researcher's perspective from producing data and knowledge about an art form from an outside-observer position. The research builds on scholarship in dance, performance, cultural policy, cultural industries, youth development, and youth arts studies, and grounds it within post-conflict and cross-border scholarship.

This safeguarding policy is to be used as a point of reference for researchers, staff, research participants and their caregivers. This policy is not exhaustive and the researchers in the YDM will also follow guidelines set out in the Queen’s University Belfast safeguarding policy for cases in NI and the University College Dublin safeguarding policy in the ROI.

The following document outlines YDM safeguarding policy.

1. Voluntary participation based on valid informed consent 
2. Recognising Abuse and Responding
3. Reporting of Child Protection Concerns
4. Enabling participation where possible and avoiding the systematic exclusion of particular sections of society
5. Complaints Procedure

1. Voluntary Participation based on valid informed consent

On the basis of receiving adequate information, the research subjects should voluntarily consent to participate. It is crucial to remember that consent is an ongoing process rather than a one-off choice. For instance, even though formal consent for the entire process had been sought and provided at the beginning, we ensure that the participant is willing to participate in the subsequent interviews if some time had gone between the first and second interview.

Participants are also informed that even though they initially consented, they are free to refuse to answer any specific questions without providing a reason, to decide not to participate at any time without providing a reason, and, in some cases, to request that their data be removed from the study.

• For young people aged 18 and over it is necessary to gain their consent and it may be unnecessary to obtain consent from the parent, guardian, carer or other appropriate adult with a duty of care, however in each instance the situation is carefully considered and justified by the researcher. 
• For young people aged between 12 and 17, assent is sought from the young person and the parent, guardian, carer or other appropriate adult with a duty of care. 

 

2. Recognising Abuse and Responding 

In the event that a person working for YDM project is concerned that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is suffering from abuse it is their responsibility to act; they must not be “passive in relation to concerns, ie, don’t do anything” (Guidelines for the Protection of Children, Arts Council, Ireland, 2006). Everyone has a responsibility to report suspected or alleged child abuse.

Abuse can be categorised in four different ways: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.

Physical abuse can be broadly defined in this context as an instance where a child or young person, or vulnerable adult shows physical signs of injury, these may include:

• Unexplained bruising, marks or injuries on any part of the body
• Bruises which reflect hand marks or fingertips (from slapping or pinching)
• Cigarette burns
• Bite marks
• Broken bones
• Scalds

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate physical abuse:

• Fear of parents being approached for an explanation
• Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts
• Flinching when approached or touched
• Reluctance to get changed, for example wearing long sleeves in hot weather
• Depression
• Withdrawn behaviour
• Running away from home

Emotional Abuse is often difficult to measure. For example - a child who appears well cared for may be abused by being taunted, put down or belittled. They may receive little or no affection, love or attention by parents or primary carers. Emotional abuse may be revealed physically in a number of ways such as:

• Failure to thrive or grow, particularly if the child puts on weight in other circumstances: e.g., in hospital or away from their parents’ care.
• Sudden speech disorders
• Developmental delay, either in terms of physical or emotional progress
• Extreme lethargy or tiredness

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate emotional abuse include:

• Neurotic behaviour e.g hair twisting, rocking
• Being unable to play
• Fear of making mistakes
• Self harm
• Fear of parent being approached regarding their behaviour

Sexual abuse is often signaled by a child, young person or vulnerable adult’s behaviour, although physical signs can also be present. In all cases those who talk about sexual abuse want it to stop. It is essential, therefore, that they are listened to and taken seriously at all times.

Adults who use children or young people to meet their own sexual needs abuse both girls and boys of all ages, including infants and toddlers.

Physical signs of abuse may include:

• Pain or itching in the genital/anal areas
• Bruising or bleeding near genital/anal areas
• Sexually transmitted disease
• Vaginal discharge or infection
• Stomach pains
• Discomfort when walking or sitting down
• Pregnancy

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:

• Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour: e.g., becoming aggressive or withdrawn
• Fear of being left with a specific person
• Running away from home
• Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age and development level
• Sexual drawings or language
• Saying they have secrets they cannot tell anyone
• Substance or drug abuse
• Suddenly having unexplained sources of money
• Acting in a sexually explicit way towards adults

Neglect can be a difficult form of abuse to recognise, yet have some of the most lasting and damaging effects on children. Physical signs of abuse may include:

• Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from another child or young person
• Constantly dirty or ‘smelly’
• Loss of weight, or being constantly underweight
• Inappropriate dress for the conditions

 

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate neglect may include:

• Complaining of being tired all the time
• Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments
• Having few friends
• Mentioning they are being left alone or unsupervised

The above list is not conclusive but is a guide to signs of physical and behavioural abuse. Children, young people and vulnerable adults who are abused may not exhibit any of these indicators.

Circumstances which may make children more vulnerable to harm

As stated in Children First Guidance 2017, “Children may be more vulnerable to abuse than others. Also, there may be particular times or circumstances when a child may be more vulnerable to abuse in their lives”. 

Whilst not absolute, different factors may play a contributory role in making children more vulnerable to abuse or susceptible to harm, such as:

• Parent/care factors          -              such as conflictual relationships, domestic violence
• Child factors                      -              such as age, sexuality, mental health difficulties
• Community factors          -              such as  Cultural, ethnic, religious or faith-based norms which may not meet the standards of child welfare or protection required in this jurisdiction
• Environmental factors     -              such as poverty, housing issues
• Social factors                     -              such as lack of willingness of parent to engage with services, lack of understanding of how parental behaviour might affect their child

 

Responding to signs, suspicions or allegations of abuse

Anyone working for YDM may become aware of abuse occurring within different situations such as the home, at school or within a particular organisation which the child, young person or vulnerable adult attends. As well as the more obvious signs, abuse may be disclosed by for example:

• a young person talking to a friend in the particular group
• someone else might report that they strongly believe a child or young person has been, or is being abused
• something in the behaviour of one of the young people, or in the way a worker relates to them observing one young person abusing another.

Guidance on responding to a child, young person or vulnerable adult disclosing abuse

• Stay calm
• Listen carefully to what is said
• Do not promise to keep secrets – find an appropriate moment to explain that it is likely that the information will need to be shared with others
• Allow the person to continue at his/her own pace
• Do not try to explain for them, allow them to use their own words, gestures etc.
• Only ask questions for clarification purposes – at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer
• Reassure the person that they have done the right thing in telling you.
• Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared
• Record in writing what was said – include date, time and place of meeting as well as any names mentioned and to whom the information was given and ensure that the record is signed and dated.

3. Reporting Child Protection Concerns

Reporting Procedure:

• When an allegation is made, staff will put the participant’s safety and security first by listening, reassuring and by avoiding probing questions 
• An allegation should be recorded immediately, away from the child, young person or adult at risk and the YDM Designated Officer contacted (NI or ROI), who will then contact relevant bodies and/ other appropriate person/s;
• When an allegation, suspicion or concern is received from a parent, guardian, family member, carer, advocate or other third-party, staff will put the safety and security of the  child/adult in question first by listening, reassuring and by avoiding probing questions;
• Any such allegation should be recorded immediately and/or passed onto the Designated Officer who will then contact relevant bodies and/ other appropriate person/s;
• The welfare and privacy of participant’s information regarding abuse will be divulged only to the company’s Designated Officer, parents and other appropriate adults and official bodies. No other person or member of staff, regardless of position will be informed; 
• All suspected cases of abuse by an adult working for YDM must be taken seriously and reported to the Designated Officer or, if the suspicion is against the  designated officer, to the Company Manager. The welfare and privacy of such an adult must be sought, and no other member of staff, regardless of position will be informed. 
• Relevant official bodies will be contacted if necessary, and further investigation of such cases and subsequent suspensions or dismissals will be guided by those appropriate bodies;
• All suspected cases of peer abuse should be reported in the first instance to the project leader. Any case of abuse that cannot and should not be handled by the project leader will be reported to the Designated Officer or, if the suspicion is against the designated officer, to the project lead, who will report it to the relevant official body. The privacy of the participant concerned is paramount, and only staff in direct contact will be informed.
• The company will take all protective measures necessary to ensure no child or adult is exposed to unnecessary risk. All allegations will be dealt with as quickly as possible;
• After consultation with the relevant statutory authorities any further action needed will be confirmed and no further internal investigation or gathering of evidence will take place;
• All information at each stage will be recorded, regardless of whether a referral is made;
•  Following the completion of any internal investigation, if there is proven harm or risk of harm to a young person or vulnerable adult a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be made

YDM’s Designated Liaison Person in Northern Ireland is Denise Toner

School Manager of School of Arts, English and Languages, Queen’s University Belfast
Denise Toner can be contacted by
Email: d.toner@qub.ac.uk 
Telephone: +44(0)28 9097 3317

YDM’s Designated Liaison Person in Republic of Ireland is Professor Jason Last
Jason Last can be contacted by
Email: jason.last@ucd.ie
Telephone: +353 (01)7161404 or +353 (087)2130746 

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person is Mr Dominic O’Keefe
Dominic O’Keefe can be contacted by
Telephone: +353 (01)716 3131

It is the responsibility of the Designated Liaison Person or Deputy to support and advise staff and ensure all procedures are followed and to liaise with the relevant organisations and individuals where appropriate.

Any member of staff who is made aware of actual or possible abuse of a child, young person or vulnerable adult should report and discuss their concerns as soon as possible to YDM’s Child Protection Officer/Designated Liaison Person or Deputy. 

In an emergency – and in the unlikely event of a member of staff being unable to contact the Designated Liaison Person or Deputy you must immediately report any urgent concerns directly to the Garda or PSNI.

If you have a suspicion or concern about a child, young person or vulnerable adult behaviour of staff, volunteer or other person never ignore or delay taking action.

Children First Information and Advice Officer

Laura Nee,

Child and Family Agency, 

Civic Offices, 

Limerick Road, 

Nenagh, 

Co. Tipperary

E-mail: laura.nee@tusla.ie
Mobile: +353 (0) 87 7987854 

4. Enabling participation where possible and avoiding the systematic exclusion of particular sections of society

While not every study can include all sections of society, consideration is given to facilitate

participation, such as translating research tools and supporting documents, for non-English

speakers. Relational Schools also considers access issues for individuals with mobility issues and

takes into account potential literacy problems or learning difficulties for example.

In addition to these issues, there are more subtle ways in which people with particular social,

educational or cultural backgrounds can be excluded, and YDM project encourages  young dancers from backgrounds typically underrepresented in dance on the island of Ireland to engage in this research.  We particularly invite participation from Black, POC (person of colour), Traveller, Roma, LGBT+, disabled and working class dancers, and those who consider themselves to be within the target groups described in the UCD EDI Statement.

5. Complaints procedure

In addition to complying with the above principles, procedures are in place to facilitate accountability and ensure researchers are monitored on an ongoing basis.  To complain about the study, you can do so to any YDM member of staff, volunteer, or local office. Alternatively, please email Denise Toner (Queen’s University Belfast) at d.toner@qub.ac.uk

To help us respond to your comment or complaint effectively, please include your full name, contact details, and let us know how you would like us to contact you.

6.Relevant Documents

The following safeguarding policy was developed and drawn from the following documents:

• Queen’s University Belfast safeguarding policy
• University College Dublin safeguarding policy
• Relation Schools Research Ethics Safeguarding Policy 
• HSE National Policy for Consent in Health and Social Care Research 
• Children First, National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children