Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment Template
Child Safeguarding Statement
Loughquittane 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 Addendum to Children First (2019), the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023) and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of Loughquittane 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 (revised (2023) as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
2 The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Ann O’Donnell
3 The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Rachel Kelliher
4 The Relevant Person is Ann O’Donnell
(The relevant person is one who can provide information in respect of how the child safeguarding statement was developed and will be able to provide the statement on request. In a school setting the relevant person shall be the designated liaison person.)
5 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.
6 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 (revised 2023) and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for school staff which are published on the gov.ie 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 gov.ie 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 (revised 2023), including in the case of registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.
● 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 gov.ie 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.
7 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.
8 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 19 March 2019. It will be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the Board of Management on 30 September 2025
Signed: _________________________ Signed: ____________________________
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: __________________________ Date: ___________________
Signed :
Lily Cronin, Chairperson Ann O’Donnell, Principal
● Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
● Written Assessment of Risk of Loughquittane National School
● 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 PostPrimary Schools (revised 2023), the following is the Written Risk Assessment of Loughquittane N S.
●
1. List of school activities
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
3. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment –
Training of school personnel in Child Protection matters Harm not recognised or reported promptly Child Safeguarding Statement &
DES ”Child Protection Procedures for Primary & Post Primary Schools 2017” are made available to all staff
DLP & DDLP to attended PDST face to face training
All Staff undertook Túsla training module & viewed DES webinar
BOM records all staff and board training
One to one teaching Harm by school personnel SET policy emphasises in-class support and small group support teaching.
Open doors / glass in door
Table between teacher and pupil unless specific teaching objective requires otherwise.
Classroom Teaching Harm or injury to pupil Teacher planning & preparation
Supervision practices
Code of Behaviour
Classroom Routines
Health & Safety Policy
Curricular Provision in respect of SPHE, RSE and Stay Safe Non-teaching of Same School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in full on a two-year rotation at a minimum. This is monitored in cuntais.
1. List of school activities
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
3. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment –
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils Harm from older pupils, unknown adults at gate
Harm from vehicles Arrival supervision from 8:50am, and children go directly to classroom entrance
Dismissal directly from classrooms supervised by Teachers and SNAs
Parents are advised that there is NO supervision before 8.50am
Care of Children with special needs, including intimate care needs Harm by school personnel Intimate care practice
Staff training
Toilet areas Inappropriate behaviour Routines and practices for Usage and supervision
One child per toilet. Only one child from class grouping may use toilet at anytime during breaks.
Toilets assigned to specific class groupings only.
LGBT Children/Pupils perceived to be LGBT Bullying Anti-Bullying Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the DES Antibullying Procedures
Stay Safe Programme is taught in full.
Code of Behaviour
Use of Toilets / Changing Facilities outside of school Harm to Pupils Supervision Practices
Use of one cubicle per child
Student teachers undertaking teaching placement in school
Harm by student teacher Teaching Placement practices- teacher remains in the classroom
School adheres to the statutory requirement of Garda vetting
Sports Coaches Harm to pupils Class teacher remains with the class at all times
Policy & Procedures in place
Statutory requirement of Garda Vetting adhered to
Students participating in work experience Harm by student Work experience practices require teacher remains with class
Child Safeguarding Statement.
Statutory requirement for Garda Vetting adhered to
1. List of school activities
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
3. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment –
Recreation breaks for pupils Harm by pupil
Bullying
Accident / injury on yard Supervision practices ensure appropriate supervision during breaks
Clear rules & routines for break times
Code of Behaviour
Bí Cineálta Policy
Maintenance of school grounds
School Outings Injury to Pupil Policy on Tours and Outings
Permission slips stored in office
At least 2 school personnel on outings
Use of off-site facilities for school activities Loss of Pupil
Safety of Venue Policy of School Tours & Outings
Use of Approved venues and camps with vetted personnel
Outdoor teaching activities Harm to Pupil Appropriate pupil teacher ratio
Prior visit to site
Sporting Activities
Harm to Pupils Policy on Tours & Outings
Adequate personnel on any outing
P.E. Policy
Code of Behaviour
Homework club/fun club
Harm to pupils Túsla Guidelines
Statutory Garda Vetting and CP training
Rules & Routines in place
Annual Sports Day / Week
Harm / injury to pupil Preparation and planning of activities
Routines are established
Supervision of pupils by staff
Use of different zones within the school
School transport arrangements
Vehicle suitability
Harm to pupil Bus companies meet safety requirements
Policy on Tours & Outings
4. List of school activities
5. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
6. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment –
Administration of Medicine
Administration of First Aid
Inappropriate use of medication
Administration of Medicine Policy & Procedures with parental permission
Accident & Inquiry Policy
Safe storage of any medication in locked office with careful record of any medication administered
First Aide training of staff
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
Harm to pupil by pupil(s) Bí Cineálta Policy
Code of Behaviour
Teaching in full of Stay Safe and Internet safety
Friends for Life Programme taught biannually
Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school
Bullying
Inappropriate / harmful content ICT policy – supervision of pupils
SPHE materials include Webwise
Prim-Ed Cyber-Bullying books
Bí Cineálta Policy
Code of Behaviour
Access Filters
Online Safety Talks are arranged for parents
Fundraising events involving pupils Inadequate supervision of children Prior agreement with PA of supervision procedures.
Parents Association members insurance
Pupils from ethnic minorities Risk of harm due to racism The school undertakes anti-racism awareness lessons through SPHE .
Pupils of minority religious faiths Risk of harm due to racism The school undertakes anti-racism awareness lessons through SPHE .
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 (revised 2023)