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Lucena Clinic Services
Child Safeguarding Statement
Lucena Clinic Services are a child and adolescent mental health service run by the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God Services and funded by the HSE. It is the policy of the Lucena Clinic Services to promote the safeguarding and welfare of children and to help protect them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and neglect as outlined in the Children First Act (2015).
Lucena Clinic Services respect the confidential nature of information that children and families share with us. However there are exceptions and limits to this confidentiality. In particular indicators or disclosures, which suggest serious concern for the welfare of a child, will be addressed in a fair and impartial manner and in accordance with the principles of the HSE Children First National Guidance 2017,which have been adopted by the Lucena Clinic Services.
When reports or allegations of “ (a) assault, ill-treatment or neglect of the child in a manner that seriously affects or is likely to seriously affect the child’s health, development or welfare, and/or (b) sexual abuse of the child, whether caused by a single act, omission or circumstance or a series or combination of acts, omissions or circumstances, or otherwise” [Children First Act 2015], are made to staff in the Clinic, these will be followed up and if reasonable grounds for concern are established, will be forwarded to the Tusla Child and Family Services for assessment and investigation. This policy includes allegations against staff and adult reports of historical abuse.
All Lucena staff are appropriately recruited, selected, trained and supervised in accordance with their role and agency policy. This includes Garda clearance prior to their appointment. We also provide ongoing training to all staff in relation to our Child Protection and Welfare Policy.
The following legislation and guidelines have been used to inform the Lucena Clinic Services Child Safeguarding policy:
Freedom of Information Act (1997 & 2003); Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act (1998); Criminal Justice Act (Reckless Endangerment) 2006; Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Children First Act (2015); Children First National Guidance (2017).
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Shane Hill, Regional Director, Mental Health Division, St John of God Community Services, Elvira Gate, Arena Road, Burton Hall Campus, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18
Tel; 01-2971033
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Mary McNamara, Principal Social Worker, Designated Liaison Person, Lucena Clinic Services,
59 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6
Tel; 01-4923596
Last updated 26/10/2021