Welfare/Child Protection

Use of New Technologies

New technologies such as email, mobile phones and social networking sites can be extremely useful tools for communicating with your members. However, there are also risks involved and youth theatres need to be mindful of these and take precautions to help ensure safe usage. The advice below is taken from NAYD Child Protection and Welfare Guidelines for Youth Theatres.

Download Use of New Technologies Advice Sheet (16 pages, 172k)

Welfare Policies and Guidelines

NAYD Revised Welfare and Child Protection Guidelines

NAYD's new Child Protection and Welfare Guidelines for Youth Theatres are now available. They have been created in line with the revised Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, published by the Department of Children (July 2011). These revised national guidelines, are available to download from the website of the Department of Children and the expectation is that they will be put on a legislative footing in the near future.

In addition to the guidelines, NAYD has designed a template to guide youth theatres through the process of revising their own policies. The NAYD guidelines are not concerned solely with the the handling of child protection concerns but, with safeguarding the welfare of members in all aspects of a youth theatre's work. Advice on good practice is provided on a broad range of areas. The areas covered include:

  • Health and Safety
  • Recruitment and Selection of Volunteers/Staff
  • Confidentiality
  • Group Contracts
  • Informing Parents
  • Complaints Procedures
  • Dealing with Bullying
  • Use of New Technologes including social networking sites. 

To receive a copy of the guidelines and template, contact Katie on 01-8781301 or

Arts Council Guidelines

The Arts Council have developed a range of resources to support artists and arts organisations who engage with young people including:

Welfare Structures in a Youth Theatre

It is important that welfare structures are put in place to support leaders. Effective strategies include the appointment of a Welfare Committee and a Designated Welfare Person......

Find out more about Welfare Structures(2 pages, 456k)

Travelling Abroad

NAYD's guidelines for taking your group abroad for an international exchange or festival.....

Download Go Happy,Come Back Safely (22 pages, 1600k)

Disclosures of Abuse

Definitions of Abuse

There are four main categories of abuse as outlined Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.  The following is a synopsis of the information contained in that document......

Find out more about Definitions of Abuse (2 pages, 472k)

Handling a Disclosure of Abuse

If you have the recommended procedures in place, you will be in a position to react in the most appropriate way.....

Find out more about Handling a Disclosure of Abuse (3 pages, 768 k)

Reporting Child Welfare Concerns

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory responsibility under the Child Care Act (1991) to promote the welfare of children. The HSE has an obligation to receive information about any child who is not receiving adequate care and/or protection. They have created a standard form for reporting concerns...

Download Completing the HSE Form for Reporting Child Protection/Welfare Concerns(1 page, 192k)

Download the HSE Form for Reporting Child Protection/Welfare Concerns(2 pages, 68k)

Young People and the Law

Useful information relating to a number of areas, including alcohol consumption and employment, that can inform your welfare policies and approaches....

Find out more about Young People and the Law (2 pages, 84k)