Feis Shligigh Child Protection Policy

Ref: Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of ChildrenImplemented from 1st February 2011Preliminary Statement: The safety of children and vulnerable adults is paramount and all, without exception, have the right to protection. 

1. Purpose and Function of the organisation known as Feis Shligigh: Feis Shligigh provides a platform for amateur performance in Music, Speech & Drama in Irish & English, and Irish Dancing with an educational element from Professional Adjudicators and Specialists. 

2. The Festival Environment: Feis Shligigh invites parents,guardians and teachers to join in partnership with them in order to ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, a safe environment at the Festival. It is the responsibility of all parents and/or guardians to care for their children and those in their care while attending the Festival. Feis Shligigh will not act “in loco parentis” in the care of minors. All areas in each venue used by the Feis which are open to the public are not supervised by Feis Personnel. 

3. To whom this Policy applies: This Policy relates to children under the age of 18 years and those vulnerable adults of any age who are identified to the organisers prior to their arrival at the Festival. Feis Shligigh actively seeks to meet needs notified to the Festival Organisers by parents, guardians and/or teachers. 

4. Festival Personnel: All Feis Shligigh Committee Members and Staff are identifiable by a White Badge bearing the name and logo of the Feis and their own name. Please inform your child to make contact with a Committee / Staff member should they have any enquiry or experience any difficulty. 

5. Attendance at the Festival: Unaccompanied children and minors may be admitted at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Feis staff will not be responsible for the supervision or care of unaccompanied children and minors. Where parents, guardians and carers are not personally attending the Feis with their children, this Policy requires that they are satisfied that their children will be accompanied to the Feis and adequately supervised by responsible adults acting on their behalf. 

6. Photographs, Video/Audio Recording and Press Photography: Use of any kind of audio or visual equipment is strictly prohibited for the protection of all children attending and participating at the Feis . Parents, Guardians and Teachers are requested to help ensure that this prohibition is enforced.An Official Photographer and Journalist from the Media may attend and will be identified by Name Badge or ID Card. Any request for Photographs or Interviews will be directed to the Parent, Guardian or Teacher. Please ensure your child, Guardian and Teacher are aware of your position on the use of Photographs and Interviews for Newspaper publication.

7. Policy Review: The Executive Committee of Feis Shligigh will constantly review this Policy, improving and enhancing as necessary.