Child Safeguarding Statement

Scoil Bhríde is a primary/post-primary school providing primary/post-primary education to pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.

In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Addendum to Children First (2019), the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of  Scoil Bhríde has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

1. The Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement

 

1. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is  Denis Doheny.

• The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Marie Dunne.

 

1. The Board of Management recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all of the school’s policies, procedures, practices and activities. In its policies, procedures, practices and activities, the school will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:

 

The school will:

• Recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations
• Fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children
• Fully co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters
• Adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and protect workers from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect
• Develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children and
• Fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters

 

The school will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult pupil with a special vulnerability.

 

The following procedures/measures are in place:

• In relation to any member of staff who is the subject of any investigation (howsoever described) in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in respect of a child attending the school, the school adheres to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for school staff which are published on the DES website

 

• In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, the school adheres to the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 and to the wider duty of care guidance set out in relevant Garda Vetting and recruitment circulars published by the DES and available on the DES website

 

• In relation to the provision of information and, where necessary, instruction and training, to staff in respect of the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act) the school:

 

• Has provided each member of staff with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
• Encourages Board of Management members to avail of relevant training
• The Board of Management maintains records of all staff and Board member training

 

• In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all school personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017, including in the case of registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015

 

• In this school the Board has appointed the above named DLP as the ‘Relevant Person’ (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement

 

• All registered teachers employed by the school are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015

 

• In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Board has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the school or participating in school activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the school’s procedures for managing those risks is attached as an appendix to these procedures

 

• The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the school’s website, the DES website or will be made available on request by the school.

 

Note:  The above is not intended as an exhaustive list. Individual Boards of Management shall also include in this section such other procedures/measures that are of relevance to the school in question.

This statement has been published on the school’s website and has been provided to all members of school personnel, the parents’ association  and the patron.  It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this statement will be made available to Tusla and the Department if requested.

 

This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed annually or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this statement refers.

This Child Safeguarding Statement was adopted by the Board of Management on   24th June 2022.

 

This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the Board of Management on 24th June 2022

 

Signed: Fr. Martin Delaney                           Signed: Denis Doheny

Chairperson of Board of Management   Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management

 

Date:   24th June 2022                                 Date:   24th June 2022

 

Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

 

Written Assessment of Risk of Scoil Bhríde

In accordance with section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 and with the requirement of Chapter 8 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017, the following is the Written Risk Assessment of [Name of School]

• List of school activities:

 

Online teaching and learning remotely Sporting Activities School outings Use of toilet/changing/shower areas in schools Annual Sports Day Fundraising events involving pupils Use of off-site facilities for school activities School transport arrangements including use of bus escorts Care of children with special educational needs, including intimate care where needed Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required Management of provision of food and drink Administration of Medicine Administration of First Aid Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils Training of school personnel in child protection matters Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum Use of external personnel to support sports and other extra-curricular activities Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/needs such as: Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants Members of the Traveller Community Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children Pupils perceived to be LGBT Pupils of minority religious faiths Children in care Children on CPNS Children with medical needs Recruitment of school personnel including: Teachers/SNA’s Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaners Sports coaches External Tutors/Guest Speakers Volunteers/Parents in school activities Visitors/contractors present in school during school hours Visitors/contractors present during after school activities Participation by pupils in religious ceremonies/religious instruction external to the school Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc Students participating in work experience in the school Student teachers undertaking training placement in school Use of video/photography/other media to record school events After school use of school premises by other organisations

• The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities:

 

Examples of Risks of Harm: Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child Risk of child being harmed in the school by a volunteer or visitor to the school Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while the child is participating in out of school activities e.g. school trip, swimming lessons Risk of harm due to bullying of child Risk of harm due to racism Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in school Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care Risk of harm due to inadequate code of behaviour Risk of harm in one-to-one teaching, counselling, coaching situation Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel communicating with pupils in appropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other manner Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or other manner

• The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment:

 

Procedures in place to address risks Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff DLP& DDLP to attend training All Staff to view Túsla training module & online training offered by PDST The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 are made available to all school personnel School Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and all registered teaching staff are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015 BOM records all records of staff and board training. The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda Vetting Legislation and relevant DES circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda Vetting. Child Protection on the agenda of all board meetings Special Education Policy – In place and there are open doors or glass in door/window Table between teacher and pupil where appropriate. Special Ed teachers endeavour to work with children in groups but sometimes it is necessary to work on a one to one basis depending on the child’s needs.   Administration of Medication Two staff members to be present when intimate care needs are being addressed. Pupil Care Plans are in place for pupils requiring medical assistance while in school and these are reviewed annually. Programmes School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe programmes in full   Arrival and Dismissal Upon arrival at school, pupils are supervised outside from 8:45. At home time Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First Class are brought out by the class teacher to the front of the school and the pupils are lined up and not let go until parent / guardian collects. Break Times Adequate supervision in place at break times. Scheduled Yard Supervision rota is displayed in the staff room. If there’s an issue the teacher will address the issue and report immediately. Pupils encouraged to tell a teacher if they feel unsafe. In the event of an incident, parents and Emergency Services are contacted if deemed necessary. Incident Reports are written up on Aladdin as soon as possible after happening. Children to go in pairs if doing a message eg. going to get something from the office. Relevant Policies Health & Safety Policy in place. Acceptable Internet Policy in place. Code of Behaviour and Anti bullying Policy in place.   External Personnel In-school sports coaching or activities such as violin /hip hop/drumming – teacher to be present.   Students participating in work experience – to be supervised by classroom teacher.     School Trips Trips around the locality – Constant and vigilant supervision by teachers School day-trips/outings – School Trip Protocol Adequate supervision by teachers     IT Use of video/photos/other media to record school events – Parental permission is sought when entering the school in Junior Infants. Pupils not allowed to have any recording device (mobile phone, smart watch etc.) in school. Acceptable Internet Policy in place.

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Important Note:  It should be noted that ‘Risk’ in the context of this risk assessment is the risk of ‘Harm’ as defined in the Children First Act 2015 and not general health and safety risk.  The definition of ‘Harm’ is set out in Chapter 4 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post- Primary Schools 2017

 

In undertaking this risk assessment, the Board of Management has endeavoured to identify as far as possible the risks of harm that are relevant to this school and to ensure that adequate procedures are in place to manage all risks identified.  While it is not possible to foresee and remove all risk of harm, the school has in place the procedures listed in this risk assessment to manage and reduce risk to the greatest possible extent.