Child Protection Policy | Christ the King Junior Girls' School

Christ the King Junior Girls’ National School

Child Protection Policy

This document is formulated in response to changes in Guidance and Procedures in relation to Child Protection matters and takes account of the provisions of each of the following important pieces of 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.

The new procedures are based on Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011. [1]

References

‘Children First– National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011’ (Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2011)
‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (Department of Education and Skills 2011)[2]

The Board of Management (BoM) of Christ the King JGNS recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in school policies, school practices and activities. Accordingly, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools, the BoM of Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S. has approved this Child Protection Policy.

Policy Aims:

To create a safe, trusting, responsive and caring environment in our school.
To provide a personal safety skills education that specifically addresses abuse prevention for all children in the school.
To develop awareness and responsibility in the area of child protection amongst the whole school community.
To put in place procedures for good practice to protect all children and staff.
To promote ongoing training in this and related areas for all school staff.

The BoM has adopted and will fully implement without modification the Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2011. These procedures will therefore underpin the content of this policy. Staff are provided with access to copies of the document and it is the responsibility of all staff to familiarise themselves with the guidelines therein.

The following key personnel have been identified and ratified by the BoM:

The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is the School Principal.

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Deputy Principal.

In the absence of either or both of the above personnel, the next most senior staff member will automatically assume the responsibilities of the DLP and /or the Deputy DLP.

In its policies, practices and activities, Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S. will adhere to the following principles of best practice in Child Protection and Welfare. Our school recognises that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations, and will therefore;

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
Fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters

Specific policies named hereunder are key elements of this overall document and must be referred to in the context of this policy:

Attendance, Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, SPHE Policy, Health & Safety, Record Keeping, ICT, Supervision, Special Ed, Tours/Trips, Critical Incidents

This policy is available to all school personnel and is readily accessible to parents on request. It is also available in hard copy in each classroom. A copy of this policy is available for the attention of the DES and the patron if requested.

Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

In Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S., the Principal, appointed by the BoM, is the DLP. The Deputy Principal acts as Deputy DLP. Both teachers will undertake training from the Child Abuse Prevention Programme (CAPP) at the earliest opportunity. CAPP provides training to the whole school community (staff, parents and Boards of Management) on the Stay Safe Programme.

The DLP has specific responsibility for Child Protection Procedures and will represent the school in all correspondence with Tusla, An Garda Síochána and other parties in connection with allegations of abuse. All matters pertaining to child abuse concerns should be processed through the DLP (DES Procedures 3:2)

A form to assist staff in recording any disclosure from, or concerns regarding, a child is available as Child Observation Form at the end of this policy. (Appendix 3)

The DLP acts appropriately where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion or where an allegation has been made. Standardised reporting forms should be used (DES Procedures Appendix 4- http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Chidlren_First_SRF.pdf). The content of the report should follow the guidelines in ‘Children First’.

Confidentiality

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 giving of information to those who need to have that information is not a breach of confidentiality. This procedure exists for the protection of a child who may have been or has been abused. The DLP who is submitting a report to Tusla or An Garda Síochána should inform a parent/guardian, unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place that child at further risk. A decision not to inform a parent/guardian should be briefly recorded together with the reasons for not doing so.

In emergency situations, where Tusla cannot be contacted, and the child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, An Garda Síochána should be contacted. A child should not be left in a dangerous situation where Tusla intervention is not forthcoming.

School Measures Taken to Protect the Children in Our Care

There is a number of areas where common sense in our school should prevail in order to protect the children in the school and the staff who care for them. In relation to this, certain points should be noted:

Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S will fully implement the Stay Safe programme
A copy of the school’s child protection policy, which includes the names of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy DLP, will be made available to all school personnel and is readily accessible to parents on request
The name of the DLP and other relevant support services are displayed in a prominent position near the main entrance to the school
In addition to informing the school authority of those cases where a report involving a child in the school has been submitted to Tusla, the DLP shall also inform the school authority of cases where the DLP sought advice from Tusla and as a result of this advice, no report was made. At each BoM meeting, the Principal’s Report shall include the number of all such cases and this shall be recorded in the minutes of the BOM meeting.
Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S. will undertake an annual review of its Child Protection Policy and its implementation by the school. A checklist, to be used in undertaking the review (included at Appendix 1). The school will address any areas for improvement which might be identified in the annual review.

Child Protection School Practices

The staff and BoM of this school have identified the following as areas of specific concern in relation to Child Protection. Following discussion and consultation, the staff and BoM have agreed that the following practices be adopted:

General Conduct

The staff will ensure that all children are treated with equal respect.

Staff should make every effort not be alone in a classroom with one child or detain a child on their own after school.
When possible, children should work in groups.
In the case of special needs pupils where resource hours and assistance are sanctioned on an individual basis, it is school policy that staff in such a situation should ensure that they are visible at all times. To assist this, the Learning Support and Resource Room currently shared with the Senior Girls’ School, has been fitted with a glass panelled door.
School personnel should avoid doing anything of a personal nature for children that the child can do independently.
Members of the school staff will not carry children in their cars at any time.
Children with physical disabilities who may require assistance in toileting will be aided by a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) who has met the necessary screening requirements when being employed by the school.
School personnel should never engage in or allow:
- The use of inappropriate language or behaviours
- Physical punishment of any kind
- Sexually provocative games or suggestive comments about or to a child
- The use of sexually explicit or pornagraphic material

One-to-one teaching

It is the policy in this school that one-to-one teaching can sometimes be in the best interest of the child

Every effort will be made to ensure that this teaching takes place in an open environment i. e. where both parties are in the sight line of another staff member or pupil.
Parents of children who are to be involved in one-to-one teaching will be informed and their agreement sought
Work being carried out by Special Needs Assistants will be carried out under the direction of the class teacher in an open environment.

Visitors/Guest Speakers

Appropriately appointed and screened visiting teachers of varying disciplines, engaged by the BoM of Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S.to perform specific duties, will be left work with a class alone at the Principal’s discretion. Such teachers will be required to comply with Garda Vetting Procedures.

Visitors/Guest speakers should never be left alone with pupils. The school (Principal/ teachers) has a responsibility to check out the credentials of the visitor/guest speaker and to ensure that the material in use is appropriate.

Supervision

The school’s supervision policy will be followed by all staff to ensure that there is comprehensive supervision of children at all breaks. A rota will be displayed to cover 10.30 a. m. and lunchtime breaks. Records will be kept of accidents or incidents that occur while the children are in the care of the school staff. The administration of First Aid will be carried out with the agreement of the child.

Children not collected promptly after school hours

Parents may be alerted from the school phone. Pupils should wait in public view until collected by parent/guardian. Teachers will stay with the pupil for as long as is possible/ practical. However, the staff members will have to act in the best interests of child. The safety of the child is paramount. Best practice indicates that the Gardaí should be alerted to the situation i. e. abandonment of child. Staff should not drive children home.

Visibility

Teachers will ensure that children are visible in the school playground. Children will not be allowed to spend time in classrooms or toilets where they would not be under adult supervision. A Peg system will be used to allow children to use the toilets, limiting the amount of children using the toilets at any given time. They are not to leave the school playground or to engage with adults who are outside of the school playground.

Physical Contact

Physical contact between school personnel and the child should always be in response to the needs of the child and not the needs of the adult. While physical contact may be used to comfort, reassure or assist a child, the following should be factors in determining its appropriateness:

It is acceptable to the child
It is open and not secretive
The age and developmental stage of the child

Children with specific toileting/intimate care needs

In all situations where a pupil needs on-going assistance with toileting/intimate care, a meeting will be convened, after enrolment and before the child starts school, between parents/guardians, class teacher, special needs assistant, Principal and, if appropriate, the pupil. The purpose of the meeting will be to ascertain the specific needs of the child and to determine how the school can best meet those needs.
The staff to be involved in this care will be identified and provision will be made for occasions when the particular staff involved are absent. A written copy of what has been agreed will be made and kept in the child’s file.
Two members of staff will be present when dealing with intimate care/toileting needs. If there is any deviation from the agreed procedure, the parents will be informed and it may be recorded in the pupil’s communication book.
It should be noted that children with disabilities may be more at risk of abuse due to a number of reasons (DES Procedures 2:3). Parents, teachers and all staff involved in services for children with disabilities need to be familiar with the indicators of abuse and to be alert for signs of abuse.

Toileting accidents

Clean underwear and suitable clothing will be kept in the school so that if a pupil has an ‘accident’ of this nature, they will in the first instance be offered fresh clothing into which they can change.

If the pupil for whatever reason cannot clean or change themselves and the parents/guardians cannot be contacted, the child will be assisted by members of staff familiar to the child. In all such situations, two members of staff should be present. The child’s parents will be notified of the incident.

Accidents

While every precaution will be taken under our Health and Safety Statement to ensure the safety of children, we realise that accidents will happen. Accidents will be noted in our Incident book and will be addressed under our Accident Policy as part of Health and Safety.

In the event of injury to the intimate area of child, a second member of staff will be alerted. Staff may ask the pupil to show the injury, but only with a second person present. Parent/guardian may be contacted.

Changing for games/PE/Ballet

Pupils will be expected to dress and undress themselves for Games/PE/Ballet. Where assistance is needed, this will be done in the communal area and with the consent of parents. Under no circumstances will members of staff/volunteers be expected to or allowed to dress/undress a child unsupervised in a cubicle/private area.

Attendance

Our school attendance will be monitored as per our attendance policy. With regards to child protection, we will pay particular attention to trends in non-attendance. We will also monitor non-attendance in correlation with signs of neglect/physical/emotional abuse.

Behaviour

Children are encouraged at all times to play co-operatively and inappropriate behaviour will be addressed under our Code of Behaviour. If an incident occurs which we consider to be of a sexualised nature, we will notify the DLP who will record it and respond to it appropriately.

Bullying

Bullying behaviour will be addressed under our Anti-Bullying policy. If the behaviour involved is of a sexualised nature or regarded as being particularly abusive, then the matter will be referred to the DLP.

Communication

Every effort will be made to enhance pupil-teacher communication. If pupils have concerns they will be listened to sympathetically. The SPHE/Oral Language/RE programmes allow for open pupil-teacher communication, which is hoped will aid the pupil-teacher relationship. If teachers have to communicate with pupils on a one-to-one basis, they are requested to leave the classroom door open or request a colleague to attend.

Induction of Pupils

All parents and children will be made aware of attendance rules and their implications as laid down in the Education Welfare Act (2000). At the New Parents meeting, all parents will be informed of the programmes in place in the school that deal with personal development e.g. RSE, Walk Tall, Stay Safe and SPHE. All new parents will be made aware that the school’s enrolment policy is easily viewed on our school website, which outlines the procedures parents and children should use when contacting the school if there are absences or concerns of an educational/personal/family matter. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with the class teacher/principal if they wish to discuss their child’s progress. All parents will be informed of our Code of Behaviour Policy which is also easily found on our School website.

Internet Safety

It is the intention of the Principal and Staff at Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S.to ensure that child protection concerns will be addressed in the school’s Acceptable Use Policy as part of its Information and Communication Technology policy. The Stay Safe lessons in each classroom may be supplemented with appropriate resources.

All on-line content and media products (CDs, DVDs etc.) should be checked for their appropriateness with regard to age and suitability prior to use in class.

Record Keeping

Roll books will be updated daily. Sensitive information regarding children will be shared on a need-to-know basis. All educational files of pupils who no longer attend this school are kept in the filing cabinet in the school and dealt with as per Data Protection legislation.

Recruitment

The school will follow the procedures under legislation by employing only adults who have been vetted by the Gardaí.

After school activities

A list of contact numbers for parents/ guardians of pupils involved in after-school activities will be held by the facilitator for use in emergency situations.

Ratification of Policy

This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on ——————- 2016 (Date)

Signed: _________________________ Signed: __________________________

Chairperson of Board of Management Principal

Date: __________________________ Date: __________________________

In keeping with DES requirements Circular 0065/2012, this policy will be reviewed annually. Such a review will be undertaken each September. (See Appendix 1 Checklist for Annual Review of the Child Protection Policy)

Change History

Below are listed amendments undertaken following review of the policy

Appendix 1: Checklist for Annual Review of the Child Protection Policy

The Board of Management must undertake an annual review of its Child Protection Policy and the following checklist shall be used for this purpose.

The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The BoM may wish to include other items in the checklist that are of particular relevance to Christ the King Junior Girls’ N.S.and reserves the right to do so if/when the need occurs.

1.	As part of the overall review process, Boards of Management should also assess other school policies, practices and activities vis a vis their adherence to the principles of best practice in child protection and welfare as set out in the school’s Child Protection policy	YES	NO
2.	Has the Board formally adopted a child protection policy in accordance with the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’?	YES	NO
3.	As part of the school’s child protection policy, has the Board formally adopted, without modification, the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’?	YES	NO
4.	Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed?	YES	NO
5.	Are the relevant contact details (HSE and An Garda Síochána) to hand?	YES	NO
6.	Has the DLP attended available child protection training?	YES	NO
7.	Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection training?	YES	NO
8.	Have any members of the Board attended child protection training?	YES	NO
9.	Has the school’s child protection policy identified other school policies, practices and activities that are regarded as having particular child protection relevance?	YES	NO
10.	Has the Board ensured that the Department’s ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’ are available to all school personnel?	YES	NO
11.	Does the Board have arrangements in place to communicate the school’s child protection policy to new school personnel?	YES	NO
12.	Is the Board satisfied that all school personnel have been made aware of their responsibilities under the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’?	YES	NO
13.	Since the Board’s last annual review, was the Board informed of any child protection reports made to the HSE/An Garda Síochána by the DLP?	YES	NO
14.	Since the Board’s last annual review, was the Board informed of any cases where the DLP sought advice from the HSE and as a result of this advice, no report to the HSE was made?	YES	NO
15.	Is the Board satisfied that the child protection procedures in relation to the making of reports to the HSE/ An Garda Síochána were appropriately followed?	YES	NO
16.	Were child protection matters reported to the Board appropriately recorded in the Board minutes?	YES	NO
17.	Is the Board satisfied that all records relating to child protection are appropriately filed and stored securely?	YES	NO
18.	Has the Board ensured that the Parents’ Association has been provided with the school’s child protection policy?	YES	NO

Appendix 3: Child Observation Form

Christ the King Junior GNS

Strictly Confidential Retain in a Secure Place

Class Level:________________________ Child’s Registration No: _______________

Date

Observations

Signed

N.B. Have you recorded…?

what you have observed and when- no judgements or opinion
signs of physical injury-described in detail or sketched
direct disclosure-using the child’s own words
concerns noted by other people

[1] Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children is available on line at Office of the Minister for Children http://www.dcya.gov.ie

[2] Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2011 is available on DES website www.education.ie