Child Safeguarding Statement
Last Update April 2025
Safeguarding at Smart Steps
The safety and wellbeing of children is central to all Smart Steps services.
Smart Steps is committed to safeguarding children and young people in our care and to providing a safe environment where children can play, learn and develop.
We operate in line with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the Children First Act 2015.
Our Safeguarding Framework
Organisation Child Safeguarding Statement
Site-Specific Safeguarding Statements
Child Protection & Welfare Policy
Staff Professional Code of Conduct
Active Supervision Policy
Recruitment & Vetting Procedures
All Smart Steps staff complete Tusla Children First safeguarding training and undergo Garda Vetting prior to employment.
The Designated Liaison Person and Service Managers receive additional safeguarding training to support the implementation of child protection procedures.
All staff also receive ongoing safeguarding guidance and supervision from the Designated Liaison Person.
Safeguarding Reporting
If you have a concern regarding the safety or welfare of a child attending a Smart Steps service, please contact the Designated Liaison Person directly or submit a concern using the form below.
Designated Liaison Person
Rebecca Fleury
Concerns regarding child protection or welfare may also be reported directly to Tusla – Child and Family Agency.
Service Name and Activities Provided
Smart Steps is a registered provider of Out-of-School Recreation Services, delivering childcare services for children aged 4–15 years outside of normal school hours across multiple school locations.
Services provided may include:
Breakfast Club
Afterschool Care
Full and Part-Time Care during School Breaks
Activity Camps during School Holidays
Smart Steps operates wrap-around childcare services during the school term and full-day or part-time care during school holiday periods.
Individual services operate within designated school premises or community facilities. Each service operates within the regulatory requirements of Tusla Early Years Inspectorate and in line with the Children First Act 2015.
Each Smart Steps service maintains its own site-specific Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment, which is displayed within the service and provided to parents upon enrolment.
Commitment to Safeguard Children from Harm
Smart Steps is committed to safeguarding the children in our care and to providing a safe environment in which they can play, learn and develop.
We believe that the welfare of children attending our services is paramount and we are committed to child-centred practice in all of our work.
We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person who attends our services, including the rights:
to be kept safe and protected from harm
to be listened to
to be respected and heard
Our safeguarding policies and procedures reflect national policy and legislation and are underpinned by:
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017)
Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Practice and Procedure (Tusla, 2018)
Children First Act 2015
This safeguarding statement applies to:
Owner Directors
Service Managers
Staff members
Students on placement
Volunteers
Any person working with children within Smart Steps services.
All personnel must adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding policies and procedures and must follow all reporting procedures where child protection or welfare concerns arise.
This safeguarding statement and accompanying policies will be reviewed every two years, or sooner if required due to changes in legislation, national guidance, or service practice.
Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
Smart Steps has appointed a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy DLP in accordance with Children First legislation.
The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for:
receiving child protection concerns
making reports to Tusla where appropriate
providing advice and guidance to staff
ensuring safeguarding procedures are implemented.
Contact details for the Designated Liaison Person are available within each service and within service-specific safeguarding statements.
Relevant Person under the Children First Act
In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, Smart Steps has appointed a Relevant Person.
The Relevant Person is responsible for ensuring that this Child Safeguarding Statement and the accompanying risk assessment have been developed and are in place.
The Relevant Person is also responsible for ensuring that:
this safeguarding statement is displayed and made available to parents, guardians, staff and visitors
the safeguarding policies and procedures outlined in this statement are implemented across all Smart Steps services
safeguarding practices are reviewed regularly in line with national guidance.
The Relevant Person for Smart Steps is:
Rebecca Fleury
Managing Director
Smart Steps Ltd.
Risk Assessment
In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, Smart Steps has carried out an assessment of the potential for harm to a child while attending our services or participating in service activities.
Potential risks identified across Smart Steps services include:
recruitment of unsuitable staff
unauthorised persons collecting children
bullying or peer conflict
unsupervised areas within premises
online safety risks
misuse of photographs or social media
safeguarding concerns relating to visitors or external providers
misuse of personal or sensitive information
harm occurring during outings or off-site activities.
Policies and procedures are in place to manage and minimise these risks.
Each individual service also maintains a site-specific risk assessment which reflects the particular premises, operational practices and environment of that service.
Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
Smart Steps has implemented a comprehensive set of safeguarding policies and procedures, including:
Child Protection and Welfare Policy
Child Protection Reporting Procedures
Confidentiality Policy
Recruitment and Garda Vetting Procedures
Staff Code of Behaviour for Working with Children
Staff Training Policy
Induction Procedures for New Staff
Complaints Policy
Drop-off and Collection Procedures
Incident and Accident Reporting Procedures
Internet and Gadgets Policy
Photography and Image Use Policy
Social Media Policy
Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy
Active Supervision Policy
Outings Policy
Data Protection (GDPR) Policy
All staff complete the Tusla eLearning Programme – Introduction to Children First, and relevant staff undertake additional safeguarding training where required.
Staff receive ongoing support and supervision in accordance with organisational policy.
All safeguarding policies and procedures are available to parents, staff and partner schools upon request.
Implementation and Review
Smart Steps recognises that safeguarding is an ongoing process.
Our organisation is committed to implementing this Child Safeguarding Statement and the safeguarding policies and procedures that support it in order to keep children safe from harm while attending our services.
This statement:
is available on the Smart Steps website
is displayed within each service
is provided to staff, volunteers and students
is accessible to parents and guardians on request.
This statement will be reviewed every two years or sooner where necessary following any change to legislation, guidance or service practice.
Service Provider
Smart Steps Limited
2A Leck Road Business Park
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Managing Director
Rebecca Fleury