Child Safeguarding Statement, Risk Assessment & BoM Review Notification

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Child Safeguarding Statement, Risk Assessment & BoM Review Notification

Child Safeguarding Statement of Cadamstown NS

Cadamstown NS  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 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, 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 Cadamstown NS 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.
  2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Patrick Judge
  3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) is Mary Malone
  4. 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.

5. 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 Patrick Judge, principal DLP, as the “relevant person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 April 3rd, 2019.

________________________________                                _____________________________

Signed: Mr Martin Ryan                                               Signed: Mr Patrick Judge

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

Date:     3.04.19                                                          Date: 3.04.19

Cadamstown N.S. Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

List of School Activities

The School has identified the following risk of harm in respect of these activities

The School has put the following procedures in place to address the risk of harm identified in this assessment

Training of school personnel in Child Protection matters

Harm not recognised or reported promptly by teachers.

Child Safeguarding Statement & ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’ procedures made available to all staff

DLP & DDLP to attend PDST face to face training

All staff to view Túsla training module & any other online training offered by PDST, INTO (during Croke park hours 2018). BOM to keep all records of staff and board training

One to one teaching

Harm by school personnel

School has policy in place for one to one teaching

Open doors or glass in door and window are requirements

Care of Children with special needs, including intimate care needs

Harm by school personnel

Policy on intimate care – Needs to be put in place if required

Toilet areas

Inappropriate behaviour

Classroom and school rules regarding using the toilet and supervision policy –

Curricular Provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe

Non – teaching of same

School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in all classes; records are kept in teachers’ monthly records stored in principal’s office

LGBT Children/ Pupils perceived to be LGBT

Bullying

Anti-Bullying Policy, Code of Behaviour – includes homophobic bullying

Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils.

Late arrivals (post 9:20).

Somebody without custody collecting a child.

Harm to pupils

Supervision of Pupils policy.

Behaviour and Discipline (School Rules)

The parents of a child/children arriving late must bring the child(ren) to the front door, ring the bell and hand the child over to a teacher. Include in Enrolment Form, School Rules etc.

Managing of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint

Injury to pupils and staff

Include a section on dealing with the violent behaviour of a pupil (pupils) in the Code of Behaviour and Discipline Policy.

INTO Leaflet on good practice available.

Need policy/guidelines on restraint/assaults?? INTO Leaflet on good practice available

Sports coaches

Harm to pupils

Supervision Policy and PE Policy. A teacher stays with the class at all times.

All coaches must provide evidence of National Vetting Board vetting in advance.

Students participating in work experience in the school

Harm to pupils

Work Experience Policy needs to be drawn up.

Under 16’s are allowed.

Child Safeguarding Statement in place.

Recreation breaks for pupils – including wet days

Bullying, harm to pupils

Code of Behaviour, Anti-bullying policies in place. Each teacher supervises his or her own class (Supervision Policy).

Classroom teaching

Harm to pupils

Teaching council Code of Professional conduct in place; the school complies with the agreed disciplinary procedures for teaching staff; Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Policies in place

Outdoor teaching activities

Harm to pupils

Teaching council Code of Professional conduct; code of behaviour anti-bullying policies in place;

Teacher supervises activities

Sporting activities/School Teams/Sports Days

Inappropriate behaviour, Bullying

Harm to pupils

Code of Behaviour, Anti- Bullying policies in place.

As an appendix to the Enrolment Form, parents will sign the following; “I give permission to my child to leave the school premises under the supervision of a teacher to go to

1. Cadamstown Hall and Pitch,

2. Swimming Pool,

3. School Matches, Games and other Inter-school competitions e.g. Quizzes etc. ,

4. Nature Walks,

5. Communion and Confirmation Practices,

6. School Tours”

 

 

School outings

Inappropriate behaviour

Harm to pupils

Where children are engaged in a number of activities on school outings (e.g. adventure centres), teachers will request written assurance that all tutors/teachers/instructors/guides are vetted.

We will seek assurance that bus drivers are vetted and ensure the children do not return to buses on their own.

Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school

Bullying, harm to pupils as a result of inappropriately accessing/ using computers, social media, phones, other devices while at school

ICT Policy

No social media allowed on school laptops or tablets.

Children are discouraged from bringing phones/devices into school. If they have one for contacting parents after school, they should give it to the teacher before school starts.

Training night to be provided in conjunction with Clogherinkoe school in 2018.

Anti-Bullying Policy, Code of Behaviour policies in place

NEW DATA PROTECTION guidelines due in May will have an impact on how we store and use data – Training will be required.

 

 

Access to the school premises during school hours.

Harm to children

The back door will be open from 9:10 – 9:20 and at break times. Access at all other times will be by the front door and by ringing the bell. Visitors who come into the school building should sign the visitors’ Book.

Recruitment of school personnel including –

·         Teachers

·         SNA’s

·         Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaners

·         Sport 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

Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported

Child Safeguarding Statement & ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’ procedures made available to all staff

Staff to view Túsla training module & any other online training offered by PDST (during Croke Park hours, staff training half days 2018)

NVB Vetting Procedures in place.

Teachers always present with sports coaches, external tutors, guest speakers, volunteers,  parents, visitors, workmen. 

Student teachers undertaking training placement in school

Harm to pupils

BOM/School must be in possession  of  Vetting provided by colleges of education. The student is provided with a copy of the school safeguarding statement and relevant policies before commencement of teaching practice

Use of video/photography/other media to record school events

Bullying

Harm to pupils

Permission is given by parents, when filling in the enrolment form, to include their children’s photo and name on the website (but not both together)

After school use of school premises by other organisations.

 

Guidelines agreed with the relevant parties.

Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils

Harm to pupils

Code of Behaviour

Anti-Bullying Policies in place

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 Child Protection Notification System

 

Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying policies in place; SPHE lessons on inclusion,

Sports/Fun Evening

Harm to pupils

Children are under the care of their parents/guardians.

Access to school by parents, grandparents and other relatives e.g. Cake sale, School concert

Harm to pupils

Teacher present at all times

School Bus (morning and evening)

Harm to pupils

 

Make parents aware that it is a private contract between the parents and the bus operator.

 

 

 

 

Parents and teachers bringing children to

a. church practices and

b. sports events during and outside school hours.

Harm to pupils

a.    Church practices: Parents are responsible for getting their children to the church if the teachers do not hire a bus.

b.    Sports Events – hire a bus for all games or parents are responsible for bringing their own children or arranging to have them brought by other parents.

Administration of Medicine

Storage of medicines

Harm to pupils

Need to review and update policy

Administration of First Aid

 

School Accident/Injury Policy

Pupils moving through the school

Harm to pupils

A filing cabinet for storing cleaning fluids.

 

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 Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017

 

In undertaking this risk assessment and the staff and Board of Management of Cadamstown N.S. has endeavoured to identify as far as possible the risk of harm that are relevant to this school 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 the risk assessment to manage and reduce risk to the greatest possible extent.

 

The risk assessment has been completed by the Board of Management on 3/4/2019

It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.

Signed: Martin Ryan       Date: 3/4/2019

Chairperson, Board of Management

Signed: Paddy Judge Date: 3/4/2019

Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management

Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of    the Child Safeguarding Statement

 The Board of Management of Cadamstown N.S. wishes to inform you that:

  • The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of Wednesday the 3rd of April 2019.
  • This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie

Signed Martin Ryan   Date 03/04/2019

Chairperson, Board of Management

Signed Paddy Judge Date 03/04/2019

Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management