Child Protection Policy

The school endorses the “Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children” (Department of Health and Children, September 1999) and the “Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures”(Department of Education and Science, April 2001). Copies of these publications are available from the Principal’s office and the Teacher’s Resource Library.

Aims

The aims of this policy are:

  • To give direction and guidance to school management authorities and school personnel in dealing with allegations/suspicions of child abuse
  • To endeavour to safeguard the well-being of the children in the school and to intervene if and when necessary to protect their rights
  • To help staff recognise the signs of neglect and/or abuse
  • To provide a safe environment for the children in our school

Definitions of Abuse

Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. A child may be subjected to one or more forms of abuse at any given time. The definitions the school endorses are as set out in Chapter 3 of “Children First.”

School’s Role in Prevention of Child Abuse

The school has curricular provisions and policies that have, as part of their aims, to create a safe and “telling” environment in the school and to raise and increase children’s self-esteem.

  • Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Curriculum
  • Walk Tall (Prevention of Drug Use/Abuse) Programme
  • Alive-O (Religious Education Programme)
  • Stay Safe (Child Abuse Prevention Programme) “Formal” lessons of programme are taught in Senior Infants and 2nd class
  • Self-esteem enhancement activities e.g. Circle Time, Speech and Drama, Tin whistle, after-school extra-curricular activities funded by the School Completion Programme (SCP) e.g. homework clubs, arts and crafts, Irish dancing, sports, etc.
  • Reflections Programme (to deal with bereavement and loss for affected children)
  • Play Therapy (for anger management/challenging behaviour for individual children)
  • Teaching on a one-to-one basis- where possible the doors should be glass panelled thus allowing visibility and accessibility at all times.

The Home-School–Community Liaison Programme in the school involves parents in various aspects of school life. Outside speakers from agencies such as the Child Abuse Prevention Programme are invited on a regular basis to address the parents/guardians.

The teacher who is post-holder for SPHE informs staff of current practice regarding the protection and welfare of children and attends and organises staff training if necessary.

Other school policies/ statements related to the issue include:

  • Mission Statement
  • Code of Behaviour
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Health and Safety Statement
  • Administration of Medication
  • Substance Use Policy

Dealing with Concerns of Possible Child Abuse:

For the purpose of reporting:

Designated Liaison Person (D.L.P.): Principal (currently Kathryn Crowley)

Deputy D.L.P.: SPHE post-holder (currently Claire O’Neill)

If school personnel have concerns that children with whom they have contact may be being abused, the matter should be reported without delay to the D.L.P. or, in his/her absence, to the Deputy D.L.P.

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 Health Board should always be notified where there is a reasonable suspicion or reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been/is being/is at risk of abuse.

The following examples constitute reasonable grounds for concern:

  • Specific information from the child that he/she is being abused or was abused
  • An account by a person who saw the child being abused
  • Evidence, such as injury or behaviour, which is consistent with abuse and is unlikely to be caused in any other way
  • Consistent evidence, over a period of time, that the child is suffering from emotional or physical neglect

A suspicion, which is not supported by any objective indication of abuse or neglect, would not constitute reasonable grounds for concern.

All records will be kept in a loose-leaf file so each case is recorded separately.

Neglect – reporting procedure

  • Teachers keep a record of obvious signs of neglect and each teacher has a standard report form in their room.
  • In the absence of extenuating circumstances and, after a reasonable period of time has lapsed with no improvement, the teacher informs the D.L.P. The parent(s)/ guardian(s) are invited to a meeting with the D.L.P. and class teacher. The parents are informed that, under the “Children First” guidelines, it is mandatory for the school to report suspicion of neglect to the Health Board. The parent(s)/guardian(s) are cautioned that a report will be made unless the situation improves within a week.
  • General contact by teachers with parents is through the office and is recorded in a book in the office regardless of the issue e.g. attendance, homework etc in accordance with the attendance policy.
  • Staff monitor the situation to check there is an improvement and that it is sustained.
  • If the situation does not improve, the D.L.P. informs the Health Board.
  • The D.L.P. informs the chairperson of the Board of Management that a report involving a pupil in the school has been submitted to the relevant Health Board.

Handling Disclosures From Children

When a pupil offers information, tact, sensitivity and reassurance will be needed.

  • Listen to the child. Allow them to talk. Give them time and space
  • Do not ask leading questions
  • Believe what they are saying and tell them so
  • Offer reassurance but do not make promises
  • Do not stop a child recalling significant events
  • Do not over-react
  • Emphasise that they are not at fault
  • Be honest about what will happen now. Explain that other people need to be told and further help may have to sought
  • Record the discussion accurately and retain the record
  • Report the information and give written record of discussion to the DLP

Reporting to the Health Board

If a school employee receives an allegation or has suspicion that a pupil is being abused, the matter should be reported to the Designated Liaison Person. If the school employee and the DLP are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion or allegation, the DLP should report the matter immediately to the Duty Social Worker in the Health Board.

In the event of an emergency, or the non- availability of Health Board staff, the report should be made to An Garda Síochána. The Chairperson of the Board of Management should be informed that a report is being made.

The DLP who is making the report should inform the parent/guardian of the fact, unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place the child at further risk. A decision not to inform the parent/guardian should be recorded in the written report together with the reasons for not doing so.

If the DLP has concerns, but is unsure of what to do, she/he will consult with the Health Board. The DLP should be explicit that she/he is requesting advice and not making a report. If the Health Board advises that a referral should be made, the DLP should act on that advice. Records of all phone calls/discussions with agencies should be recorded, i.e. dates, times, person spoken to, response made.

If the DLP decides not to contact the Health Board, the school employee who first made the report, should be informed in writing by the DLP with the reasons for not referring. The school employee should be advised that if he/she remains concerned then he/she is free to consult with or report to the Health Board.

Once an allegation of child abuse has been reported to the Health Board, it is then a matter for the Health Board to decide upon the action, if any, which is necessitated by that report. In some cases the response of the Health Board will be to call a child protection conference. It is a forum for coordination of information from all relevant sources, including where necessary, school employees. The Health Board will make such a request through the DLP. The DLP may request clarification why the attendance of a school employee is considered necessary and who else will be present. The school employee may be requested to keep the child’s behaviour under close observation. It may include observing the child’s behaviour, peer interactions, school progress, etc.

Allegations or Suspicions of Child Abuse by School Employees/Adults in the School Community.

This is a matter for the Board of Management as it is the employer. All allegations and suspicions should be reported to the DLP and the Chairperson of the Board of Management. The chairperson follows guidelines as laid down in the C.P.S.M.A. Board of Management book.

If the DLP is the person concerned, the matter should be reported to the chairperson of the Board of Management and the D.E.S. Child Protection Guidelines are followed.

Records are kept and parents/guardians are informed of the outcome.