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Clear structures, policies and procedures are needed to support the protection and safeguarding of all vulnerable groups. That is the message from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure in its report published today on gaps in child protection and safeguarding across the Culture, Arts and Leisure remit.

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Launching the Report, Chairperson of the Committee, Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA, said: “The Committee believes that standardised training, advice, systems and education is needed. Key stakeholders, including government departments and local government, must work together. The Committee also wants to reach out to private tutors and small, unregulated groups as they are most likely to be unsure of their protection and safeguarding responsibilities.

“The Committee is calling on the CAL Minister to pilot a Chartermark which could become a recognised brand for best practice among regulated organisations who work with vulnerable groups. It would provide assurances to parents and guardians that appropriate protections and safeguards are in place. In time it could also involve unregulated individuals and groups.”

Miss McIlveen continued: “The Report highlights Sport NI’s Child Protection and Sport Unit’s excellent work. The unit has made participation in sport much safer for vulnerable groups. An equivalent of this unit for arts and culture would ensure robust and effective safeguarding systems within this sector.

“The role of educating children and young people, teachers and parents on the positive use of the internet and social media is vital. As part of the CAL Chartermark pilot, the Committee believes that a link must be applied to websites where individuals and groups might go to seek information on protecting and safeguarding vulnerable groups.”

Miss McIlveen concluded: “It is only through working together, sharing information and developing a standardised approach that we can raise awareness and an understanding of rights and responsibilities in child protection and safeguarding.” 

Notes to Editors:

Other key recommendations from the report include: the establishment of a ‘Young Persons Reference Group, to give young people a key voice in key policies and procedures; and an examination into progress on the regulation of ‘self-employed persons’.

A full copy of the Committee’s Report on the ‘Investigation into Gaps in Child Protection and Safeguarding across the Culture, Arts and Leisure Remit’ can be found here http://nia1.me/1rg.

Committee Membership:

Michelle McIlveen MLA (Chairperson)

William Irwin MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Dominic Bradley MLA

David Hilditch MLA

William Humphrey MLA

Rosaleen McCorley MLA

Basil McCrea MLA

Michael McGimpsey MLA

Karen McKevitt MLA

Oliver McMullan MLA

Cathal Ó hOisín MLA