Child Protection Policy

This policy is formulated in response to current guidance and procedures related to child protection and incorporates the following legislation:

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

These procedures are based on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs’ publication Children First (2011) and Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (Department of Education and Skills, 2011).

Statement of Commitment

The Board of Management (BoM) of St. Joseph’s Primary School acknowledges that child protection and welfare considerations are integral to all school activities and policies. The BoM has formally adopted and will fully implement the Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2011) without modification.

Designated Liaison Personnel

Designated Liaison Person (DLP): Mr. Con Hourihane (Principal)
Deputy DLP: Mrs. Emer Swords (Deputy Principal)

Both have undertaken training provided by PDST.

Best Practice Principles

St. Joseph’s Primary School commits to:

Cooperate with statutory child protection authorities
Adopt safe practices to minimise risk
Encourage openness with parents
Maintain confidentiality where appropriate
Apply principles equally to adults with special vulnerabilities

Relevant Policies Linked to This Policy

Attendance
Enrolment
Code of Behaviour
Anti-Bullying
Health & Safety
Record Keeping
ICT
Supervision
Special Education
Induction of Staff
Tours/Trips
Critical Incidents

Policy Availability

This policy is available to all staff and the Parents’ Association. It is accessible to parents upon request and available in each classroom. It is also available for inspection by the DES and the Patron.

Roles and Procedures

Role of the DLP

The DLP manages child protection procedures and liaises with external authorities (e.g., Tusla, Garda Síochána). All concerns or allegations must be processed through the DLP.

Confidentiality

Shared on a need-to-know basis
Parents should be informed unless doing so poses a risk
In emergencies, the Gardaí may be contacted directly

Legal Protections

Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998: Immunity for good faith reporting
Qualified Privilege: Applies to those who report in good faith to the DLP
Freedom of Information Act 1997: May allow access to reports unless confidential

Recognition of Child Abuse

Types of abuse:

Neglect
Emotional abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse

Refer to Children First (Chapter 2) for definitions and indicators. Recognition involves:

Considering the possibility
Looking for signs
Recording information

Handling Disclosures

Reassure but do not make promises
Avoid leading questions
Record discussions and observations
Notify the DLP promptly

If there are reasonable grounds, a standardised report (as per DES Appendix 4) will be submitted.

Allegations Against School Staff

DLP and Chairperson ensure child protection and staff rights
Legal advice should be sought
If allegation involves the DLP, the Chairperson acts as reporting officer
Employee will be informed of the allegation and given an opportunity to respond
Administrative leave with pay may be implemented
DES will be notified

School Measures to Protect Children

Full implementation of the Stay Safe programme
DLP and Deputy DLP names publicly displayed
DLP reports to the BoM, including cases where advice was sought
Annual review of this policy, with outcomes documented and shared

Other Precautionary Measures:

Two adults must be present for swimming activities
Avoid being alone with a pupil; keep doors open if necessary
Children should work in groups when possible
SNAs should assist with toileting for pupils with physical disabilities

Children with disabilities may be at increased risk; all staff must remain vigilant and informed.

Safeguarding During Distance Learning (Added Nov 2020)

With the introduction of synchronous learning during COVID-19:

A parent or guardian should be present during online sessions
Staff must not conduct 1:1 meetings with pupils
Online meetings with families should be recorded
Meeting links are sent to parents only and must be password protected
No session recording or screenshots permitted
Real names and appropriate dress/backgrounds required
All pupils must adhere to the school’s Code of Behaviour

Review and Ratification This policy was reviewed by the Board of Management on 10th October 2023.

Signed: Paddy Rath
Chairperson, Board of Management

Signed: Con Hourihane
Principal

Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment

St. Joseph’s Primary School

Child Safeguarding Statement

St. Joseph’s Primary School provides primary education to pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.

In accordance with 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 St. Joseph’s Primary School has agreed to the Child Safeguarding Statement set out below.

1. Child Protection Procedures

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

2. Designated Liaison Persons

Designated Liaison Person (DLP): Con Hourihane
Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP): Emer Swords
Relevant Person (as per Children First Act 2015): Con Hourihane

The Relevant Person is the point of contact for inquiries regarding the Child Safeguarding Statement.

3. Principles of Best Practice in Child Protection

The school will:

Recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance.
Fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015.
Co-operate fully with statutory authorities.
Adopt safe practices to minimise risk.
Promote openness with parents and encourage their involvement.
Respect confidentiality requirements in child protection matters.

These principles also apply to any adult pupil with particular vulnerabilities.

4. Procedures and Measures in Place

The school has implemented the following:

Procedures for dealing with staff subject to investigation per Chapter 7 of the 2017 Procedures.
Adherence to National Vetting Bureau Acts 2012–2016 for recruitment.
Training and distribution of safeguarding information to all staff.
Mandated reporting by registered teachers.
Appointment of the DLP as the Relevant Person.
Completion of a written risk assessment in accordance with the Children First Act 2015.
Availability of this statement on the school website or upon request.

5. Accessibility and Review

This Statement is published on the school website and available to school personnel, the Parents’ Association, and the patron.
A copy will be made available to Tusla or the Department upon request.
This Statement is reviewed annually or sooner if material changes arise.

Adopted by the Board of Management on: ________________
Reviewed on: 10/10/2023

Signed:
Chairperson, Board of Management: ______________________
Principal/Secretary to the Board: _________________________
Date: 10/10/2023

Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

Written Assessment under Section 11, Children First Act 2015

The Board of Management has conducted a written assessment of any potential harm to children while attending school or participating in school activities. The assessment includes:

Identified risks.
Existing procedures to address these risks.
Preventive and responsive actions.

The full risk assessment includes school activities such as arrival/dismissal, one-to-one teaching, recreation, outdoor and off-site activities, administration of medicine, use of ICT and media, care of SEN pupils, intimate care, swimming, remote learning, and more.

Each item includes:

The identified Risk of Harm
Mitigating Procedures such as vetting, codes of behaviour, supervision policies, and training.

The risk of harm is defined according to Chapter 4 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017.

Review and Sign-Off

This Risk Assessment has been updated in February 2021 to include remote learning activities and was last reviewed on 10/10/2023.

Signed: PADDY RATH
Chairperson, Board of Management:

Signed: CON HOURIHANE
Principal/Secretary to the Board

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