Child Protection Policy
Parents, BOM, Staff and interested parties may access the complete text of the new ‘Child Protection Procedures’ from the Department of Education and Skills website www.education.ie
This document is a response to recent changes in legislation and takes account of the provisions of each of the following pieces of legislation. Children First Act 2015 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/36/enacted/en/pdf
- Freedom of Information Act 1997
- The Education Act 1998
- The Child Welfare Act 2000
- Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011.
The new procedures are based on the recently published https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Child-Protection/child_protection_guidelines.pdf
References
- “Children First” (Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2011)
- “Our Children Our Church” (CORI 2005)
- “Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017” (Department of Education and
Science 2001)
- Policy Sources accessed through Internet
- Children First: National Guidance for the protection and welfare of children 2017.
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, practices and activities. Accordingly, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools, the Board of Management of Saint Matthias NS has agreed the following child protection policy:
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 as part of this overall child protection policy 2020.
The following key personnel have been identified and ratified by the BOM.
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Ian Haseldine
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Margaret Connolly
In its policies, practices and activities, St. Matthias NS 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 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
- fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters and
- the school will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult pupil with a special vulnerability.
Certain policies such as St. Matthias Code of Behaviour/Anti-bullying Policy, Pupil Attendance Policy and the Supervision of Pupils Policy will take particular account of this Child Protection Policy. This policy will also be considered with reference to the participation by pupils in sporting activities, other extra-curricular activities and school outings. Other practices and activities, where child protection might have particular relevance, will take due consideration of the procedures outlined within this policy.
The Board has ensured that the necessary policies, protocols or practices as appropriate are in place in respect of each of the above listed items.
This policy has been made available to school personnel and the Parents’ Association and is readily accessible to parents on request. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and the patron if requested.
Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
At St. Matthias NS, the principal, appointed by the Board of Management (BOM), is the DLP. Margaret Connolly acts as Deputy DLP. Both teachers will undertake training from the Child Abuse Prevention Programme at the earliest opportunity. CAPP provides training to the whole school community (staff, parents and Boards of Management) on the stay Safe Programme.
The DLP has specific responsibility for child protection and will represent the school in all correspondence with Health Service Executive (HSE), An Garda Siochana and other parties in connection with allegations of abuse. All matters pertaining to the processing or investigation of child abuse should be processed through the DLP.
Further information on the responsibilities of the DLP can be referred to on pg. 8 section 2.2 of “Child Protection” (DES 2001).
The DLP acts in cases where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion or where an allegation has been made, as referred to in “Child Protection (DES 2001, 11-12).
Confidentiality
All information regarding concerns of possible child abuse should only be shared on a “need to know” basis in the interests of the child. The giving of information to those who need to have that information is not a breach of confidentiality. This procedure exists for the protection of a child who may have been or has been abused. The DLP who is submitting a report to the HSE or An Garda Siochána should inform a parent/guardian, unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place that child at further risk. A decision not to inform a parent/guardian should be briefly recorded together with the reasons for not doing so.
In emergency situations, where the HSE cannot be contacted, and the child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, An Garda Siochána should be contacted immediately. A child should not be left in a dangerous situation pending HSE intervention.
Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse
The protection for persons reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 provides immunity from civil liability to any person who reports child abuse “reasonably and in good faith” to designated officers of HSE or any member of an Garda Siochána, “Child Protection” (DES 2001, pg.6).
Qualified Privilege
People making a report to the DLP in good faith have “qualified privilege” under common law, see “Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures” (DES 2001, pg. 6).
Reports made to HSE may be subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. This act enables members of the public to obtain access to personal information relating to them which is in the possession of public bodies. However, the act also provides that public bodies may refuse access to information obtained by them in confidence.
Definition and Recognition of Child Abuse
Child abuse can be categorised into four different types
- Neglect
- Emotional abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
These categories are defined in full in “Children First” (Dept. Health & Children 1999, pgs. 31-33) but for the purpose of this policy attention is drawn to the stated definition of “neglect”.
Neglect can be defined in terms of an omission, where the child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, medical care.
Guidelines for Recognition of Child Abuse
A list of child abuse indicators is contained in Appendix 1 “Children First” (DHC 1999, pgs. 31-33). This policy draws particular attention to “persistent evidence” of neglect, including indicators such as no lunch, lack of uniform, no homework, poor attendance, persistent health problems, lack of sleep indicating inappropriate television viewing late at night and other evidence that would indicate lack of supervision in the home. All signs and symptoms must be examined in the total context of the child’s situation and family circumstances.
There are commonly three stages in the identification of child abuse:
- Considering the possibility
- Looking out for signs of abuse
- Recording of information
Handling Disclosures from Children
See pages 20-22 of Child Protection Procedures for Primary & Post Primary Schools 2017.
It gives comprehensive details of how disclosures should be approached. Staffs are advised to deal with each situation sensitively, reassure the child but not to make promises that cannot be fulfilled.
The adult should not ask leading questions or make suggestions. They should explain that further help may have to be sought. The discussion should then be recorded accurately.
The record should include reference to what was observed with sketches of physical injury where necessary. It should also record when the alleged incident took place. Records should be kept in a secure place. The information should then be conveyed to the school DLP.
If the reporting person and the DLP are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion/allegation, the procedures outlined in Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 will be adhered to. Standardised reporting forms should be used (Appendix 1). The content of the report should follow the guidelines on pg. 39 of “Children First”.
The Chairperson of the BoM will be informed before the DLP makes contact with the relevant authorities.
Allegations or Suspicions in relation to School Employees
The Chairperson and the DLP are primarily concerned with the protection of the children in their care. However, employees must be protected against false and malicious claims.
Legal Advice should be sought by the board in relation to the employee.
If the allegation is against the DLP, the BoM Chairperson will assume the responsibility for reporting the matter to the HSE.
Reporting
When an allegation of abuse is made against a school employee, the DLP should act in accordance with the procedures outlined in “Child Protection” (DES 2001, pg.11). A written statement of the allegation should be sought from the person/agency making the report. A parent/guardian may make a statement on behalf of a child. The DLP should always inform the Chairperson of the BOM and is responsible for liaising with the HSE. The Chairperson assumes responsibility for dealing with the employee.
School employees, other than the DLP, who receive allegations against another school employee, should immediately report the matter to the DLP. School employees who form suspicions regarding conduct of another school employee should consult with the DLP.
The employee should be informed by the Chairperson (Employer) that:
- An allegation has been made against him/her
- The nature of the allegation
- Whether or not the HSE or Gardaí has been informed.
The employee should be given a copy of the written allegation and any other relevant documentation. The employee should be requested to respond to the allegation in writing to the BoM within a specified period and told that this may be passed to the Gardaí, HSE and legal advisers.
The Chairperson must take the necessary steps to protect the child and may consult the Board in this matter. The Board may direct that the employee take administrative leave with pay and avoid suspension, thus removing any implication of guilt. The DES should be immediately informed.
School Measures Taken to Protect the Children in Our Care
There are a number of areas where common sense in our school should prevail in order to protect the children in the school and the staff who care for them. In relation to this, certain points should be noted:
- Matthias NS will fully implement the Stay Safe programme.
- A copy of the school’s child protection policy, which includes the names of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy DLP, will be made available to all school personnel and the Parents’ Association and is readily accessible to parents on request.
- The name of the DLP and other relevant support services are displayed in a prominent position near the main entrance to the school.
- In addition to informing the school authority of those cases where a report involving a child in the school has been submitted to the HSE, the DLP shall also inform the school authority of cases where the DLP sought advice from the HSE and as a result of this advice, no report was made. At each Board of Management meeting, the principal’s report shall include the number of all such cases and this shall be recorded in the minutes of the board meeting.
- ST Matthias NS will undertake an annual review of its child protection policy and its implementation by the school. A checklist, to be used in undertaking the review, is included at Appendix 1. The school will put in place an action plan to address any areas for improvement which might be identified by the annual review. Written notification that the review has been undertaken, shall be provided to the Parents’ Association. A record of the review and its outcome shall be made available, if requested, to the patron and the Department.
- Staff who take classes swimming should make sure that there are two adults in attendance at all times. The dressing rooms and pool area should be well supervised.
- Staff should not be alone in a classroom with one child or detain a child on their own after school. In the case of special needs pupils where resource hours and assistance are sanctioned on an individual basis it is school policy that staff in such a situation should work with the classroom door open, thus rendering the occupants visible at all times.
- When possible children should work in groups
- Children with physical disabilities who may require assistance in toiletry matters will be aided by a Special Needs Assistant who has met the necessary screening requirements when being employed by the school.
It should be noted that children with disabilities may be more at risk of abuse due to a number of reasons (DES Procedures 2:3). Parents, teachers and all staff involved in services for children with disabilities need to be familiar with the indicators of abuse and to be alert for signs of abuse.
Appendix 1: Checklist for Annual Review of the Child Protection Policy
The Board of Management must undertake an annual review of its child protection policy and the following checklist shall be used for this purpose.
The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The Board of Management may wish to include other items in the checklist that are of particular relevance to ST Matthias NS and reserves the right to do so if/when the need occurs.
| As part of the overall review process, Boards of Management should also assess other school policies, practices and Yes/No
activities vis a vis their adherence to the principles of best practice in child protection and welfare as set out in the School’s Child Protection policy. |
| Has the Board formally adopted a child protection policy in accordance with the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Yes/No
Primary and Post Primary Schools’? |
| As part of the school’s child protection policy, has the Board formally adopted, without modification, the Yes/No
‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’? |
| Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed? Yes/No |
| Are the relevant contact details (HSE and An Garda Síochána) to hand? Yes/No |
| Has the DLP attended available child protection training? Yes/No |
| Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection training? Yes/No |
| Have any members of the Board attended child protection training? Yes/No |
| Has the school’s child protection policy identified other school policies, practices and activities that are regarded Yes/No
as having particular child protection relevance? |
| Has the Board ensured that the Department’s “Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools” Yes/No
are available to all school personnel? |
| Does the Board have arrangements in place to communicate the school’s child protection policy Yes/No
to new school personnel? |
| Is the Board satisfied that all school personnel have been made aware of their responsibilities under the Yes/No
‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’? |
| Since the Board’s last annual review, was the Board informed of any child protection reports Yes/No
made to the HSE/An Garda Síochána by the DLP? |
| Since the Board’s last annual review, was the Board informed of any cases where the DLP Yes/No
sought advice from the HSE and as a result of this advice, no report to the HSE was made? |
| Is the Board satisfied that the child protection procedures in relation to the making of reports to the Yes/No
HSE/ An Garda Síochána were appropriately followed? |
| Were child protection matters reported to the Board appropriately recorded in the Board minutes? Yes/No |
| Is the Board satisfied that all records relating to child protection are appropriately filed and stored
securely? Yes/No |
| Has the Board ensured that the Parents’ Association has been provided
with the school’s child protection policy? Yes/No |
Ratification of Policy
This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Management every school year.
This policy was adopted by the Board of Management.
Signed: _________________________ Signed: _________________________
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal
Date: __________________________ Date: __________________________
The Board further endorses the Principal, Ian Haseldine as the school DLP and Margaret Connolly as deputy DLP.
On behalf of the Board of Management:
_______________________________ Date: _____________________
Rev. Steve McCann (Chairperson)