Section 1: Service Details
Name of Service:
The Confidence Clinic & Club Ltd. (trading as 'The Confidence Clinic')
Main Location:
Skerries, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Other Locations:
- Play Therapy sessions also take place at Aster Family Resource Centre, where liaison occurs with the centre’s Designated Liaison Person (DLP) as required.
- Summer Camps are held at multiple venues across Dublin and throughout Ireland.
- Confidence and Wellbeing Classes are provided in schools, family resource centres, and occasionally in various community centres across the Dublin region.
Nature of Services Provided:
The Confidence Clinic provides Play Therapy, Life Coaching, Confidence Classes, and Summer Camps for children and teenagers aged approximately 6–18 years.
The service promotes emotional well-being, resilience, and confidence through creative and therapeutic activities in both one-to-one and group settings.
Adults engaged in these services may be play therapists, life coaches, or camp/class facilitators. All staff* and contractors working directly with children are Garda Vetted and have completed Tusla’s 'Introduction to Children First' online course.
(Please note: The only employee or staff member currently is Caoimhe O’Grady Tegart –all others are employed as and when needed for classes or camps, as contractors. Caoimhe O’Grady Tegart carries out all play therapy and life coaching sessions.)
Section 2: Principles to Safeguard Children
The Confidence Clinic is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people who engage with our services.
We recognise our responsibility to promote children’s rights to safety, protection, and participation.
Our guiding principles are:
- The safety and welfare of every child is our paramount concern.
- All children have the right to be protected from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- We respect and value the diversity, dignity, and individuality of every child.
- We operate in accordance with the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2023), and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice (2023).
- We work in partnership with parents, guardians, schools, and community organisations to create safe environments.
- We provide appropriate support, supervision, and training for all those working with children.
Section 3: Risk Assessment
In accordance with Section 11(1)(a) of the Children First Act 2015, we have undertaken a written assessment of potential risks of harm to a child while availing of our services.
'Harm' is defined in the Act as the assault, ill-treatment, neglect, or sexual abuse of a child that seriously affects, or is likely to seriously affect, their health, development, or welfare.
| Identified Risk of Harm | Procedure/Policy in Place to Manage the Risk |
| Risk of harm to a child by a staff member or contractor | Safe Recruitment Procedures; Garda Vetting; Code of Behaviour; Supervision & Reporting Procedures |
| Risk of harm to a child by a visitor, parent, or peer during activities | Supervision of children at all times; Visitors never left alone with children; Clear ratio of adults to children |
| Risk of bullying or emotional harm from peers | Anti-Bullying Procedure; Behaviour Expectations shared with all participants |
| Risk of inadequate supervision during sessions or camps | Staff ratios appropriate to age group; Supervision Policy; Induction and briefing for all facilitators |
| Risk of harm through unauthorised photography or sharing of images | Photo Consent Procedure; Parental consent required; No identifiable child faces used; GDPR and Data Protection policy in place |
| Risk of harm through online communication or social media | Code of Behaviour; Professional boundaries policy; No private digital contact with children |
| Risk of harm to a child in Play Therapy or one-to-one coaching settings | Play Therapy Practice Guidelines; Parental consent; Visibility safeguards; DLP oversight |
| Risk of harm through lack of awareness of reporting procedures | Mandatory safeguarding induction; DLP consultation process clearly explained to all staff |
| Risk of harm from an allegation or misconduct by staff | Managing Allegations Against Staff Procedure; liaison with Tusla and Gardaí where required |
Section 4: Specified Safeguarding Procedures
In accordance with Section 11(3) of the Children First Act 2015, The Confidence Clinic has in place the following safeguarding procedures:
Procedure for Managing Allegations of Abuse or Misconduct Against Staff or Volunteers
All allegations are managed in line with Tusla guidance and the Children First National Guidance. Any allegation against a staff member, volunteer, or contractor is reported immediately to the DLP (Caoimhe O’Grady Tegart) and Tusla. Liaison with Tusla and the Gardaí will occur as required.
Procedure for Safe Recruitment and Selection of Staff/Volunteers
All staff and contractors complete Garda Vetting and the Tusla 'Introduction to Children First' course before beginning work. References and identification are verified. A written contract outlines safeguarding expectations and code of conduct.
Procedure for the Provision of Safeguarding Information and Training
All staff and contractors receive induction training on safeguarding responsibilities, recognising abuse, and reporting procedures. Refresher training is encouraged every two years or after significant policy updates.
Procedure for Reporting Child Protection and Welfare Concerns to Tusla
Concerns are reported to the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) who decides whether the threshold for a mandated or non-mandated report is met. Reports are submitted to Tusla using the Child Protection and Welfare Report Form (CPWRF) via the Tusla portal. If Tusla is unavailable, reports are made directly to the Gardaí.
Procedure for Maintaining a List of Mandated Persons
The Confidence Clinic maintains a secure record of all Mandated Persons within the organisation. Currently, Caoimhe O’Grady Tegart, Play Therapist, is the only Mandated Person.
Procedure for Appointing a Relevant Person
Caoimhe O’Grady Tegart is appointed as the Relevant Person under the Children First Act 2015 for all services of The Confidence Clinic. She serves as the first point of contact for the Child Safeguarding Statement.
Other Supporting Procedures
Code of Behaviour for Staff and Volunteers; Complaints Procedure; Data Protection and Photo Consent Policy; Risk Assessment and Supervision Policy; Policy for Working in Schools and Family Resource Centres, ensuring liaison with venue DLPs.
Section 5: Implementation and Review
Relevant Person / Designated Liaison Person / Mandated Person:
Caoimhe O’Grady Tegart
Director, The Confidence Clinic
Phone: 083 342 5364
Email: caoimhe@theconfidenceclinic.ie
Implementation:
- The Confidence Clinic is committed to implementing this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support it.
- The statement will be reviewed every two years or sooner if there is a material change in any matter to which it refers.
- The statement is displayed at all service venues and available on our website.
- Copies are available to Tusla, parents/guardians, and members of the public on request.
Date of Adoption: 15 October 2025
Review Due: October 2027
Appendix A – Code of Behaviour Summary
- Treat all children with equality, respect, and dignity.
- Avoid being alone in isolated settings; maintain visibility where possible.
- Maintain professional boundaries in all communication.
- Use positive, supportive language and never engage in behaviour that could cause harm or distress.
- Only take photographs with written parental consent and never include identifiable images of children.