The Importance of Safeguarding in Ireland: Addressing Gaps in Protecting Marginalised and Vulnerable Groups
Understanding the Gaps in Safeguarding: Why Training for Vulnerable Groups Must Be Prioritised in Ireland
Safeguarding is a critical issue that impacts the well-being and rights of individuals, particularly those from marginalised and vulnerable groups. In Ireland, while there are legislative frameworks and policies in place to protect individuals from harm, a significant gap remains in the practical application and prioritisation of safeguarding measures, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable in our society. This blog post explores the importance of safeguarding, the existing gaps in protections, and why safeguarding training must be prioritised for individuals working with vulnerable groups.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding refers to the measures taken to protect individuals from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. In Ireland, safeguarding is a key concept in the protection of children, adults at risk, and other vulnerable individuals, particularly in social, health, and educational settings. This protection is essential for maintaining the dignity and rights of individuals, ensuring their safety and well-being.
While safeguarding laws focus primarily on children, there is growing recognition that vulnerable adults also need targeted protection. This is especially true for marginalised groups, including refugees, migrants, people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and members of the Traveller community. These groups often face heightened risks of exploitation and harm due to societal stigma, lack of access to services, and systemic inequalities.
The Legal Framework in Ireland
Ireland's safeguarding efforts are governed by a range of legislation, including the Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, the Children First Act 2015, and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, which outlines the mandatory vetting process for those working with vulnerable individuals.
The Children First Act 2015 is one of the most significant pieces of legislation for child protection, placing a duty on professionals, organisations, and agencies to report concerns regarding child welfare and safeguarding. The law requires that relevant individuals undergo appropriate vetting, safeguarding training, and have clear reporting procedures in place.
However, the protection of vulnerable adults, while underpinned by some legislation, is not as robust. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse National Policy (2014) outlines some safeguards for adults at risk of abuse but lacks the comprehensive reach and resources found in child protection laws. Additionally, legislation protecting marginalised groups such as migrants and the Traveller community is less defined, with clear gaps in the ways such individuals are safeguarded in public services, healthcare, and employment.
Case Law and Real-World Examples
Case law has demonstrated that safeguarding issues often arise due to failures in systems meant to protect vulnerable groups. For instance, in the Marie Keating Foundation Case (2018), a family who were seeking asylum faced significant delays and poor treatment in a state-run accommodation facility. The case highlighted the lack of adequate safeguarding measures in place for asylum seekers, particularly in relation to the threat of exploitation and abuse.
In the Dublin and Wexford cases (2016), local authorities were found to have inadequate safeguarding measures in place when it came to protecting vulnerable children and adults with intellectual disabilities living in care settings. The reports showed that staff had not undergone sufficient safeguarding training and that vulnerable individuals were often left at risk of physical and emotional harm.
These cases underscore a broader systemic issue: there is an inconsistent application of safeguarding protocols across Ireland, particularly in services designed for vulnerable or marginalised groups.
The Gaps in Safeguarding
While legislative frameworks are in place, gaps remain in terms of their application. For instance:
Inconsistent Safeguarding Practices: There is a significant disparity in how safeguarding is implemented across different sectors, especially in non-governmental organisations, private enterprises, and community settings. While large public institutions may have safeguarding officers and protocols, smaller community groups often lack the resources or knowledge to implement robust safeguarding measures.
Inadequate Training: Many professionals, including healthcare providers, social workers, and educators, lack the necessary training to identify signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Safeguarding training in Ireland is not always mandatory, and even when it is, the training often fails to address the specific needs of marginalised communities such as the Traveller community, refugees, or migrants.
Lack of Cultural Competence: Safeguarding training often lacks a cultural competence component, which is essential when working with marginalized groups. The cultural barriers and unique challenges faced by these communities are not always understood by service providers or those tasked with safeguarding.
Underreporting and Fear of Retaliation: Marginalised groups often face fears of retaliation or systemic bias if they report incidents of abuse or neglect. In the case of refugees or migrants, fear of deportation or mistrust in public authorities can lead to underreporting and continued vulnerability.
The Need for Prioritising Safeguarding Training
Given the gaps identified, it is critical that safeguarding training be prioritised in Ireland, particularly for those working with marginalised and vulnerable groups. Comprehensive safeguarding training can help professionals identify risks, respond appropriately to disclosures of abuse, and create safer environments for vulnerable individuals.
Training should include:
Understanding Safeguarding Legislation and Best Practices: Professionals should be well-versed in the safeguarding legislation in Ireland, including the Children First Act 2015, the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, and relevant safeguarding policies for vulnerable adults.
Recognising the Signs of Abuse: Training should focus on enabling professionals to identify signs of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation, particularly in vulnerable groups who may be more at risk.
Cultural Competence: There should be a focus on cultural sensitivity and the unique needs of marginalised groups, including the Traveller community, refugees, and migrants, to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights protected.
Reporting Procedures and Support Systems: Individuals should be equipped with clear knowledge of how to report abuse and neglect, and the systems in place to protect both the individual making the report and the vulnerable person involved.
Ongoing Support for Frontline Workers: Those working with vulnerable groups should be provided with ongoing support, including regular safeguarding updates, access to mental health resources, and peer support networks.
Conclusion
The gaps in safeguarding measures for marginalised and vulnerable groups in Ireland are concerning. Despite the existence of legal frameworks, inconsistent application of safeguarding practices, inadequate training, and cultural insensitivity continue to leave vulnerable individuals at risk. It is essential that Ireland prioritise safeguarding training and ensure that those who work with vulnerable populations are fully equipped to protect them.
At SuccessPro, we recognise the critical need for safeguarding in all sectors, particularly when it comes to working with vulnerable groups. Our comprehensive safeguarding training equips professionals with the knowledge and skills required to recognise, prevent, and respond to safeguarding issues effectively. We offer tailored training sessions that focus on current Irish safeguarding legislation, cultural competence, recognising signs of abuse, and clear reporting procedures.
If your organisation is committed to providing a safe environment for all individuals, especially those who are most vulnerable, contact SuccessPro today to learn how our safeguarding training can make a difference.
Together, we can ensure that the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals are protected, and that safeguarding becomes a priority in every service and community.
