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Child Safeguarding Statement

Child Safeguarding Statement

 

Emo National School

Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment 

 

Emo N.S. is a primary school providing primary education to pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.

In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017the 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  Emo N.S. has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

 

  • 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

 

  • The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Cyril Duggan

 

  • The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Noel Costelloe

 

  • 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 DE 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 Department of Education and available on the DE 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 and the Addendum to Children First (2019), 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 included with the Child Safeguarding Statement.

 

  • The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the school’s website, the DE 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 (if any) 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 21st October 2021

This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the Board of Management on 21st October 2021.

 

Signed: Mary Dunne                                         Signed: Cyril Duggan

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

 

 

Date:     21st October 2021               Date:    21st October 2021

 

 

 

 

  

Child Protection –  Assessment of Risk

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 Emo National School .

 

 

List of school activities Risk Level The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils Medium Harm from older pupils, unknown adults on the playground Arrival & dismissal supervised by Principal, teachers and SNA’s
Recreation breaks for pupils Medium Adults may enter the yard

Bullying

Supervision Policy

Entry to the school is by permission only with use of specific doors

Classroom teaching Low Harm by school personnel

Harm by other pupils

Glass panel in the doors

Other adults visit or are present

Other children present

One-to-one teaching

 

Medium Harm by school personnel Glass panel in doors

Open door

Sporting Activities

 

High Harm by pupils including bullying

Harm by school personnel

Harm by adults

Transport is arranged by each individual parent or group bus by school

Garda Vetting is required by all parents involved or providing transport

Changing of gear takes place before the activity in the school

Children wear gear underneath their tracksuits.

Children must return to the school

In-school activities are supervised by each class teacher

School outings/trips

 

High Harm by pupils including bullying

Harm by school personnel

Harm by adults

Transport is arranged by each individual parent or group bus by school

Garda Vetting is required by all parents involved or providing transport

Teachers supervise the changing of gear

Children must return to the school

Children must wear the school uniform

 Use of toilet/changing areas in schools

 

High Inappropriate behaviour

Harm from other children

Harm from school personnel

Supervision Policy

Toileting – one child at any time. In the case of children who need extra assistance 2 adults are present.

The door must remain unlocked  when assisting with changing

Dealing with an emergency sick child/toileting issue High Harm from school personnel

Harm by other children

Supervision Policy

Code of Behaviour

Annual Sports Day

 

High Inappropriate behaviour

Harm from other children

Harm from school personnel

Harm from a parent/adult

Supervision Policy
Fundraising events involving pupils

 

High Inappropriate behaviour

Harm from other children

Harm from school personnel

Harm from a parent/adult

Supervision Policy

Code of Behaviour

Anti-Bullying Policy

School transport arrangements

 

Care of children with special educational needs

 

High Harm by school personnel

Harm by other pupils

Supervision Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy

Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils including appropriate use of restraint

 

High Injury/harm to pupils and staff Code of Behaviour

Health & Safety Policy

Administration of Medicine

 

High Harm to school personnel

Harm to pupil/pupils

Administration of Medicines Policy

Training arranged as required

Administration of First Aid

 

High Harm to pupil

Harm by school personnel

Health & Safety Policy

Doors must remain open

Records kept in office

Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe

 

Medium Non-teaching of content School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in full
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils

 

Low Bullying Anti-Bullying Policy

Code of Behaviour

Training of school personnel in child protection matters

 

High Harm not recognised or reported promptly Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to staff

DLP & DDLP to attend PDST face to face training module and all staff complete any online training offered by PDST

BOM records all records of staff and Board training.

Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum High Harm by external personnel All adults, visitors to the school and volunteers are properly screened and vetted.

The Class Teacher must remain with their class when supported by external personnel.

All external personnel require Garda Vetting

Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/ needs such as:

  •  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
High Bullying

Harm from personnel

Harm from pupils

Harm from adults

Anti-Bullying Policy

Supervision Policy

SPHE Programme taught in its entirety

Code of Behaviour

Recruitment of school personnel

  • 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
High Harm from personnel Current vetting procedures are carried out when recruiting.

All existing school employees are vetted.

All adults, visitors to the school and volunteers are properly screened and vetted.

Proper records of vetting are stored in the school.

Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school High Harm by adults

Bullying – Cyber Bullying

Anti-Bullying Policy

Restricted access to the internet and DES filtering system.

Supervision Policy

Training arranged for staff & information for parents

 Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc. Low Harm by other pupils Supervision Policy

Code of Behaviour

Mobile Phones Policy

Students participating in work experience in the school Low Harm by student Student must be supervised by the relevant teacher
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school Low Harm by student teacher Student teacher must be supervised by the relevant teacher

Garda Vetting is required for all students

Use of video/photography/other media to record school events High Harm by adults

Bullying

Parental permission is required

Only school camera/equipment is used

Anti-Bullying Policy

Code of Behaviour

After school use of school premises by other organisations High Harm by adults

Harm by other pupils

Hire/Use of School Policy

Garda Vetting is required

Supervision ratio

Code of Behaviour

Use of school premises by other organisation during school day High Harm by adults

Harm by other pupils

Glass panels in doors

Supervision Policy

Garda Vetting

Code of Behaviour

 

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.

This risk assessment has been completed by the Board of Management initially in March 2018.  It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.The annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of 21st October 2021.

Signed by: Mary Dunne; Chairperson, Board of Management

Date: 21st October 2021

Signed Cyril Duggan Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management

Date: 21st October 2021