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 2017 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.
The Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Alison Coffey
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Rachel Kelliher
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 schools 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 shallalso 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 adoptedby the Board of Management on 21st March , 2019
This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the Board of Management on 21st September, 2021.
Signed: _________________________ Signed: ____________________________
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: __________________________ Date: ___________________
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
(of any potential harm)
List of School Activities
The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk 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 records of staff and board training
One to one teaching
Harm by school personnel
SET policy emphasises in-class support
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 Policies
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.
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils
Harm from older pupils, unknown adults at gate
Harm from vehicles
Arrival supervision 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
List of School Activities
The school has identified the following risk of Harm
Procedures in place to address risk identified
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 training 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
Policy & Procedures in place
Statutory requirement of Garda Vetting adhered to
Students participating in work experience
Harm by student
Work experience practices
Child Safeguarding Statement.
Statutory requirement for Garda Vetting adhered to
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
Anti-Bullying 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
List of School Activities
The school has identified the following risk of Harm
Procedures in place to address risk identified
Sporting Activities
Harm to Pupils
Policy on Tours & Outings
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
Routines
Supervision of pupils
Use of different zones within the school
School transport arrangements
Vehicle suitability
Harm to pupil
Bus companies meet safety requirements
Policy on Tours & Outings
Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required
Injury to pupil
Injury to school personnel
Code of Behaviour
Code of Professional Conduct
Anti-Bullying policy
Behaviour management plan in place where necessary
Administration of Medicine
Administration of First Aid
Inappropriate use of medication
Administration of Medicine policy & procedures with parental permission
Health & Safety Policy
Safe storage of any medication in locked office
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
Harm to pupil by pupil(s)
Anti-Bullying Policy & Procedures
Code of Behaviour
Teaching in full of Stay Safe and Internet safety
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 CyberBullying books
Anti-Bullying Policy
Code of Behaviour
Access Filters
Online Safety Talks are arranged for parents
List of School Activities
The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment
Recruitment of school personnel including –
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
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported
Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff
Staff to view Tusla training module & any other online training offered by PDST
Vetting Procedures are adhered to
Policy of Parents / Volunteers
Policy on Visitors to school – all visitors are by appointment only and must sign –in.
Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.
Bullying
School’s Code of Behaviour
Use of video/photography/other media to record school events
Inappropriate use or distribution of content
Data Breech
Practices and procedures in relation to photography, recordings and sharing of Data
All teacher devices and online platforms are password protected
After school use of school premises by other organisations
Risk of Data breech
BOM Policy on non-use of school premises
Data Protection Policy & Practices
Sensitive material is locked away securely.
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 on 9th September, 2021. It will be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.