Child Protection Policy

Clare Local Authorities are committed to a child-centred approach to our work with children in all services and activities as operated by the council. We undertake to provide a safe environment where the welfare of the child is paramount. While children are always welcome to use the public libraries, we wish to make parents aware of the following sections of Clare County Council’s Child Protection Policy:

• Every attempt will be made to ensure the safety of children in libraries, but their supervision while visiting cannot be guaranteed. As libraries are public buildings and as library staff cannot completely monitor the behaviour of other library users, it is recommended that children are not left unattended in library buildings. Also library staff cannot monitor whether children leave the library unaccompanied.

• Children regularly await collection outside libraries on closing, and it is not the responsibility of staff to wait with them until collection. Parents/guardians should familiarise themselves with library closing times and ensure that children are collected before closing time.

• Disruptive behaviour by children in libraries is unacceptable and if it occurs they will be given a warning. If they continue to misbehave they will be offered the opportunity to call a parent to come and collect them. If they refuse to do this their behaviour will result in the immediate withdrawal of library facilities and that child will be asked to leave.

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