Safeguarding Policy

01Purpose and scope

This draft policy sets out how Cork Old Folks Friendly Association Limited intends to protect older people from harm and respond to concerns. It would apply to board members, any staff, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the association.

This document does not mean that safeguarding training, vetting or procedures are already in place. These will be confirmed by the association before the policy is adopted.

02Dignity and respect

Every older person has the right to be treated with dignity, to make their own decisions, and to live free from abuse. People should be presumed to have capacity to make decisions unless shown otherwise, in line with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.

03Preventing abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination

Abuse can take many forms, including physical, psychological, financial or material, sexual, neglect, discriminatory and institutional abuse. Everyone involved with the association should be alert to signs of harm and take concerns seriously.

04Appropriate boundaries

People acting for the association should not accept significant gifts or money, handle a person's finances, or form relationships that could be exploitative. Personal contact details should be shared only where appropriate and agreed.

05Responding to concerns

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112. Otherwise, listen calmly, do not promise total secrecy, write down what was said using the person's own words, and report the concern promptly to the association's designated safeguarding contact (once appointed) or to the board.

06Confidential reporting and escalation

Concerns will be handled sensitively and shared only with those who need to know. Where appropriate, concerns may be referred to the HSE National Safeguarding Office or local Safeguarding and Protection Team, An Garda Síochána, or other relevant authorities.

07Recordkeeping

Records of concerns and actions taken should be factual, dated, signed and stored securely, with access limited to authorised people, in line with data protection law.

08Confidentiality and information sharing

Personal information will be kept confidential. However, information may be shared without consent where necessary to protect a person from serious harm or where required by law.

09Volunteer and staff responsibilities

Everyone acting for the association is responsible for following this policy, behaving respectfully, and reporting concerns without delay.

10Training and screening

Where roles involve relevant work with vulnerable persons, Garda vetting will be obtained in line with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016. Appropriate safeguarding training will be provided. The specific arrangements are to be confirmed.

11Useful contacts

• Emergency services: 999 or 112
• HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams — via the HSE (hse.ie)
• An Garda Síochána — your local Garda station
• The association: +353 91 581 752 · info@cyclesperfecta.org

12Policy review

This policy should be reviewed at least every year, or sooner if the law or the association's activities change.