Policies
Fire Safety Policy
1. Fire Safety Policy
At Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre we do everything to ensure that all reasonable measures for fire prevention and fires safety are taken.
Fire Exits are clearly identified, and all fire doors are kept free from obstruction and easily opened from inside the building.
This policy is available to all service users, parents/guardians, staff and relevant stakeholders within our service. A copy is displayed at the Information Area and on our website www.clonmanycommunitycentre.ie .
A Child-Friendly Infographic version is available for the safe evacuation of children availing of our service. All children who are old enough are educated about fire, fire safety and the evacuation procedures and are supported to regularly practice how to evacuate calmly and safely from the building.
2. Fire Safety Officer
We have appointed Eamon Doherty as our Fire Safety Officer
3. Fire Assembly Point
The location of Assembly Point A is at the rear wall of the car park at the National School Steps.
This location is clearly identified with a sign on the wall.
4. Procedure in the event of an outbreak of fire
– Raise the Alarm – In the event that a fire is detected, the fire alarm should be activated.
– Call the Fire Brigade – the fire brigade should be called in the event of all fires, no matter how small the fire is.
The following clear information will need to be given:
Name of building: Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre
Address: Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Eircode: F93 XV88
Type of fire situation (if possible), for example fire location, fire size, materials involved.
– Fire Evacuation Procedure – the evacuation procedure should be initiated once the alarm has been sounded.
| Responsible | Fire Evacuation Proceture |
| All Children Services | – Leaders collect relevant service Child Attendance Log.
– Escort children in a calm and orderly manner – One leader at front of the line and one leader at rear. -Evacuate through nearest EMERGENCY EXIT to Assembly Point A. Roll Call to ensure all children present. |
| Fabric Shop / Craft Centre | – Craft Centre staff check for fire in Fabric Shop, upstairs room and craft areas, closing all doors and windows as areas are cleared.
– Provide assistance if required to customers/crafters to evacuate safely. – Evacuate through nearest Emergency Exit to Assembly Point A. |
| Reception | – Receptioninst collects Visitor and Staff Log Books
– Check for fire in front area, downstairs toilets, Office spaces, Preschool Room and Kitchen, closing all doors and windows as areas are cleared. -Provide assistance if required to customers/crafters to evacuate safely. – Evacuate through nearest EMERGENCY EXIT to Assembly Point A. |
| Caretaker and Duty Officer | – Check for fire in Woodwork Room, Gym, Upstairs Hall, Movie & Computer Rooms, Rear Stage and Rear Toilets closing all doors and windows as areas are cleared.
– Provide assistance if required to customers/crafters to evacuate safely. – Evacuate through nearest EMERGENCY EXIT to Assembly Point A. |
| Fire Safety Officer | – Supervise evacuation
– Evacuate through nearest EMERGENCY EXIT to Assembly Point A. Roll Call to ensure full evacuation of all building occupants. – Complete Fire Drill Record (if this is a drill) |
– Meet at the assembly point and perform a roll call procedure – perform a roll call procedure at the assembly point to ensure all occupants are accounted for.
– Fight the fire (where safe to do so) – using the fire extinguisher or the fire blanket (where it is safe to do so), to control or extinguish a very small fire incident may be possible but this intervention should be secondary to the evacuation procedure and calling the fire brigade.
– Assist the fire brigade – when the fire brigade arrives, give as much information as possible.
5. Fire Drill Procedure
The Fire Safety Officer is responsible for managing all Fire Drills.
Fire Drills take place at least twice yearly to simulate fire conditions.
The day and time will vary to ensure that children from all services are given the opportunity to experience a fire drill.
The alarm will be set off manually or the smoke detectors will raise the alarm,
Specific staff will be given advance warning to avoid a false call being made to the fire service
The Fire Evacuation Procedure will be applied during Fire Drill
A record of the fire drill will be maintained including the following details:
- The date of the drill
- Time of the drill
- The total number of persons evacuated
- The length of time for all persons to evacuate the building
- Any deficiencies noted and actions to be taken as a result.
- Action Complete Date
6. Preschool Fire Drill Practice
To avoid any panic or feelings of anxiety in the children availing of our preschool service, our Preschool Leader perform a Monthly Preschool Fire Drill Practice so that all children understand what they need to do in the event of the Fire Alarm being activated. A record of this fire drill practice is maintained by the Preschool Leader.
7. Fire Safety Training
The Fire Safety Officer receives appropriate training from a registered provider annually.
All staff members are trained in this Fire Safety Policy and fire prevention and fire safety measures. All staff understand their role and responsibilities in relation to fire safety measures.
Our staff are registered with https://firesafetraining.ie/ for online refresher training
All staff are familiar with the location of any firefighting equipment and trained in the use of such equipment.
8. Fire Fighting Facilities
Appropriate fire detection and control equipment (for example, fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire blankets and fire extinguishers) are located throughout the building.
Fire Extinguishers are located throughout our buildings:
– In the entrance halls, in all of the main kitchens (including fire blanket) and in some of the childcare rooms.
There are normally two fire extinguishers (of a type suited to the fire risk in the vicinity) at each point. All staff members are expected to familiarize themselves with the different types:
- Carbon Dioxide C02: suitable for use on flammable liquid and safe for use on electrical fires
- Foam AFFF: safe for extinguishing wood, paper, textiles and flammable liquid fires
- Powder:suitable for use on all risks (including electrical fires) and flammable liquids
Fire Alarms – Fire alarms are generally situated at the following points:
– At front door or outside the main entrances, at top landing (in 2-storey buildings), Some rooms/corridors may have fire alarms.
9. Maintenance and Testing
Maintenance and testing of all fire safety equipment is carried out annually by a competent service company. The Fire Safety Officer is responsible for the management of the maintenance and testing of all fire safety equipment.
10. Record keeping
Records of Fire Drills and Maintenance of Firefighting and Detection (smoke alarms) Equipment are maintained for at least 5 years after they have been created in line with legislation requirements. These records are stored in the Manager’s office and are available for inspection on request.
11. Risk assessment
We maintain and periodically review our Risk Assessment to identify any specific risks with respect to fire safety. This risk assessment includes an assessment of fire hazards and people at risk and identifies risks we need to evaluate, remove or reduce in response to our findings.
12. Compliance
This policy is compliant with Fire Services Act 1981 and Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
Covid-19 Policy
Covid-19 Policy Statement
This policy outlines our commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff, volunteers, service users and customers. To ensure that, we have developed this COVID-19 Policy Statement.
Availability
This policy is available and communicated to all staff, volunteers, service users and customers.
A copy is displayed on the Information Board and on our website www.clonmanycommunitycentre.ie .
This policy is issued to all staff during Induction and periodically referred to during Staff Training.
Our Commitment
Clonmany Youth & Community Resource Centre is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff, volunteers, service users and customers. All managers, supervisors and staff are responsible for the implementation of this policy and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus. We will:
- continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our workers,
- Support at Risk/Vulnerable Staff: If an at risk or vulnerable staff member cannot work from home and must be in the workplace, we will make sure that they are preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. It is recognised that, by its very nature, setting-based childcare does not lend itself to remote working arrangements; however, employers should enable vulnerable workers to work from home where possible (e.g. administrative or support work)
- update staff and parents/guardians on this plan
- provide up to date information to our staff on the Public Health advice issued by the HSE and Gov.ie
- display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques
- We have assigned Kelly Douglas as our COVID19 Safety Officer
- Inform all workers of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirements
- adapt the workplace to facilitate physical distancing
- keep a contact log to help with contact tracing
- have all staff, facilitators and volunteers undergo COVID-19 induction training
- update our Infection Prevention and Control Policy to establish a procedure to be followed in the event of someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 while in the workplace (Covid19 Suspect Response Plan)
- provide instructions for staff to follow if they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during work
- intensify cleaning in line with government advice
- An isolation room has been identified
- In circumstances where changes to workplace policies work patterns are required, negotiation with staff will take place to agree any temporary restructuring of work patterns / policies to implement the necessary COVID-19 prevention measures in the workplace. In so doing, any existing agreements will be taken into account.
- As information about the virus is evolving, public health advice is being updated on a regular basis, both the provider and staff recognise that flexibility will be required in meeting the measures to reduce the spread.
All managers, supervisors and staff will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is encouraged on any concerns, issues or suggestions.
This can be done through the Centre Manager
Bébhinn Mullins, Centre Manager
Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015
Equality Policy
Child Safeguarding Policy
1. Name: Clonmany Youth & Community Resource Centre
2. Nature of service and principles to safeguard children from harm (brief outline of what our service is, what we do and our commitment to safeguard children):
Clonmany Youth & Community Resource Centre is a registered charity. We are a youth & community centre based in Clonmany, Inishowen, County Donegal.
Our Centre delivers a wide range of services to communities, groups and individuals on a local and regional basis that are responsive to identified needs and is committed to ensuring the participation of all individuals and groups within the community and those who are most at risk of poverty and or social exclusion.
Our services to children and young people include:
- ECCE places and junior pre-school services for 3 to 5 years children in our community playgroup
- Breakfast Club, Afterschool Sessions & Youth Club activities to children from junior infants up to 18 years of age.
- Family Support including Meitheal referrals under Tusla’s Prevention, Partnership and Family Support service (PPFS)
- Education, training and personal development programmes for young people within our teenage drop-in facility.
Other services include:
- Craft Training Centre where we offer the opportunity to learn traditional crafting skills. Day and Night-time Classes are available. We also offer a range of Adult Education Classes.
- Fabric Store – A social enterprise initiative
- Sports Facilities: Gym, Sports Halls and Astro-turf pitch
- Community Pantry – Sustainability/ Food Waste Project
- Remote Working Office space for hire and Administration Services
Our Commitment to Safeguard Children from harm
- The safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.
- We are committed to safeguarding the children and young people in our care and to providing a safe environment in which they can play, learn, develop and be supported.
- The best interests of the children attending our service is paramount. We are committed to child-centred practice in all our work with children.
- Taking account of their age and understanding, children should be consulted and involved in all matters and decisions that may affect them.
- We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person who attends our service, including the rights to be kept safe and protected from harm, listened to, heard and taken seriously.
3. Responsible
This safeguarding statement applies to all paid staff, volunteers, committee/board members and students on work placement within our organisation.
All committee/board members, staff, volunteers and students must sign up to and abide by the policies, procedures and guidance encompassed by this statement and our child safeguarding policies and procedures.
4. Management Structure
Clonmany Youth & Community Resource Centre is governed by a Board of Directors.
The Board has overall responsibility for everything the organisation does including compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. The board delegates implementation of strategy and the day-to-day management of the organisation to the Centre Manager.
The Centre Manager is accountable for and reports to the Board who monitor and evaluate all areas of the organisation’s performance.
5. Risk Assessment
We have carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while availing of our services including the area of online safety when accessing the internet.
Below is a list of the areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.
| Risk Identified | Policies and/or Procedures in place to manage Risk |
| 1. Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child by a member of staff/volunteer |
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| 2. Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child by a visitor to the service |
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| 3. Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child on outings by a member of staff/volunteer/stranger/peer |
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| 4. Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child through the use of unauthorized photography. |
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| 5. Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child through social media or internet use |
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| 6. Risk of harm (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) of a child by bullying by a peer or older child/young person |
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6. Procedures
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice.
In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:
- Reporting Procedure – for the reporting of harm/abuse or allegations of harm/abuse to Tusla
- Feedback and Complaints Policy
- Procedure for Maintaining a list of Mandated and Relevant Persons
All procedures listed are available upon request.
7. Implementation
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our service is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our services.
This Child Safeguarding Statement and associated safeguarding policies/procedures shall be reviewed April 2023 (every two years), or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers.
Michael McKinney, Board Chairperson
Registered Provider
Email: chairperson@clonmanycommunitycentre.ie
Bébhinn Mullins, Centre Manager
Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015
Email: manager@clonmanycommunitycentre.ie
Mob: 086 4089481 or Tel: 0749376772
Public Compliance Statement
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre is committed to complying with the Statement for Guiding Principles for Fundraising and has formally discussed and adopted the Statement at a meeting of the Board Members.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre confirms its commitment to the principles set out in the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising by a statement to that effect in its annual report.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre has a Donor Charter which is consistent with the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre regularly monitors compliance with the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising and compliance reports are received regularly by the Board.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre considers the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising when planning all fundraising activity.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre has a policy on working with third party fundraisers (if applicable).
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre provides honest, open and transparent disclosure when fundraising from the public.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre has appointed a member of the governing body and/or a senior member of staff to be responsible for compliance with the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre ensures that fundraising staff are provided with information and training on the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising and its implementation.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre has a feedback and complaints procedure consistent with the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising. Feedback is recorded for review by relevant staff including the Manager and Board Members. Feedback is responded to promptly and appropriately.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre prepares financial reports consistent with the requirements of the Charities Act 2009 which include a statement concerning the extent to which control of the organisation is independent of its funding sources.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre ensures that all donations are tracked and recorded and complies with data protection requirements.
- Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre is accessible to the public through a number of readily available contact options.
Feedback & Complaints
If you do have a comment about any aspect of our work, you can contact Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre in writing, by telephone or by email.
In the first instance, your comment will be dealt with by our Centre Manager, Bébhinn Mullins.
Please give us as much information as possible and let us know how you would like us to respond, providing relevant contact details.
Write to
Bébhinn Mullins – Centre Manager
Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre
Clonmany
Inishowen
County Donegal
F93 XV88
Tel: +353 749376772
Email: manager@clonmanycommunitycentre.ie
We are open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Donor Charter
As a charity seeking donations from the Public, we, Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre aim to comply with the Charities Regulators Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public
Our pledge is to treat all our donors with respect, honesty and openness.
We commit to being accountable and transparent so that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre.
We promise we will effectively apply your gifts to us for their intended purposes.
Our Commitment to Donors and Prospective Donors
We commit that you, our donors and prospective donors will:
- Be informed of the organisation’s mission, and of the way our organisation intends to use donated resources.
- Be informed of the identity of those serving on the organisation’s governing board, and that the board will exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.
- Have access to the organisation’s most recent financial statements.
- Be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- Receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
- Be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- Expect that all relationships with individuals representing the charity will be dealt with professionally.
- Be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organisation or hired third party agents.
- Have easily available the agreed procedures for making and responding to complaints.
- Have the opportunity for any names to be deleted from mailing lists and to be informed if the organisation intends to share the mailing lists with third parties.
- Receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers to questions you might have of the organisation.
- If or when a member of the public enquires about the employment standing of a fundraiser, they must receive an honest and open answer.
