Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures
Fossa National School aims to provide its pupils with the highest standards of care and protection, in order to promote each child’s well-being and safeguarding him/her from harm. The Board of Management of Fossa National School has adopted the “Children’s First” Guidelines of the Department of Health and Children and the “Child Protection” Procedures of the Department of Education and Science.
Designated Liaison Person:
The Principal Teacher, Mr. John Burke is the Designated Liaison Person (DLP). Should circumstances warrant it, the Deputy Principal Mrs. Rosemary Moynihan, will act as Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP). The DLP has specific responsibility for child protection and represent the school in all dealings with Health Boards, An Garda Síochána and other parties in connection with allegations of abuse. All matters pertaining to the processing or investigation of child abuse must be processed through the DLP.
Guidelines for Recognition of Child Abuse
All signs and symptoms must be examined in the total context of the child’s situation and family circumstances. There are commonly three stages in the identification of child abuse.
These are:
- Considering the possibility
- Looking out for signs of abuse
- Recording of information
Procedures in dealing with a disclosure/suspicion from a child/third party:
When information is offered in confidence, staff will act with sensitivity in responding to the disclosure. The member of staff will need to reassure the child, and retain his/her trust, while explaining the need for action and the possible consequences, which will be necessarily involve other adults to be informed. It is important to tell the child that everything possible will be done to protect and support him/her but not to make promises that cannot be kept e.g. promising not to tell anyone else. The welfare of the child is regarded as the first and paramount consideration. In so far as is practicable, due consideration will be given, having regard to age and understanding, the wishes of the child.
Teachers who suspect child abuse should report their concerns to the DLP at the first instance and carefully record their observations over a period of time.
Disclosures of Child Abuse from a third party will be reported to the DLP. If a third party starts to tell a teacher about an alleged child abuse incident the teacher will ask them to speak to the DLP. If the person does not inform the DLP the teacher will do so.
The following advice is offered to school personnel to whom a child makes a disclosure of abuse:
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- Where a child discloses alleged abuse to a staff member, the person receiving that information should listen carefully and supportively. Great care must be taken not to abuse the child’s trust. This should not be a formal interview.
- Remain Calm
- Listen to the child with sensitivity and openness
- Take all disclosures seriously
- Do not ask leading questions or make suggestions to the child
- Offer reassurance but do not make promises
- Do not stop a child recalling significant events
- Do not over-react
- Confidentiality should be assured – explain that further help may have to be sought.
- Record the discussion accurately noting:
What, where and when?
Descriptions and possible sketches of physical injuries
Explanations of injuries using direct quotations if appropriate
Sign and date the record
Retain the record securely
This information should then be passed onto the DLP and a record will be retained in the school.
If the reporting person or member of the school staff and the DLP is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion/allegation, the procedures for reporting as a laid out in ‘Children’s First’ – section 4.4 pg. 38 (Appendix 10) will be adhered to.
The Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed before the DLP makes contact with the relevant authorities unless the situation demands that more immediate action to be taken for the safety of the child in which case the Chairperson may be informed after the report has been submitted.
Allegations Against School Employees:
The most important consideration for the Chairperson, Board of Management or the DLP is the safety and protection of the child. However, employees also have the right to protection against claims which are false or malicious.
As employers, the Board of Management should always seek legal advice as the circumstances can vary from one case to another.
There are two procedures to be followed:
- The Reporting Procedure
- The Procedure for dealing with the Employee
The DLP has responsibility for reporting the matter to the Health Board. The Chairperson, Board of Management has responsibility, acting in consultation with his/her Board, for addressing the employment issues. If the allegation is against the DLP, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will assume the responsibility for reporting the matter to the Health Board.
Reporting:
When an allegation of abuse is made against a school employee, the DLP should immediately act in accordance with the procedures outlined in “Child Protection”.
A written statement of the allegation should be sought from the person/agency making the report. The DLP should always inform the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
School employees, other than the DLP who receive allegations against other school employee(s), should immediately report the matter to the DLP. School employees who form suspicions regarding conduct of another school employee should consult with the DLP. The procedures outlined in will then be followed.
The Chairperson of the Board of Management should make the employee aware privately:
- That an allegation has been made against him/her
- The nature of the allegation
- Whether or not the Health Board or Gardaí has been/will be/must be/should be informed.
The employee should be given a copy of the written allegation and any other relevant documentation. The employee should be requested to respond to the allegation in writing to the Board of Management within a specified period and told that this may be passed to the Gardaí, Health Board and legal advisors.
The priority in all cases is that no child be exposed to unnecessary risk. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, the Chairperson should take any necessary protective measures. These measures should be proportionate to the level of risk and should not unreasonably penalise the employee in any way unless to protect the child.
If the nature of the allegations warrant immediate action in the Chairperson’s opinion, the Board of Management should be convened to consider the matter. The Board will consider feedback if any has been received form the Health Board, Gardaí or relevant source. This may result in the Board of Management directing that the employee absent him/her from the school forthwith while the matter is being investigated (Administrative Leave). When the Board of Management is unsure as to whether this should occur, advice should be sought from the Gardaí, and/or the Child Care Manager of the Health Board and the legal advisors to the Board of Management.
Administrative Leave:
Should the Board of Management direct that the employee absent him/her as above, such absence of the employee would be regarded as administrative leave of absence with pay and not suspension and would not imply any degree of guilt. The DES should be immediately informed.
Board of Management:
The Chairperson should inform the Board of Management of all the details and remind the members of their serious responsibility to maintain strict confidentiality on all matters relating to the issue and the principles of due process and natural justice.
A Copy of Children’s First, the Department of Health & Children’s national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children can be found on www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/Publications/ChildrensFirst.pdf and is also available on our school website www.fossanationalschool.com
Child Protection Procedures documents is also available on www.education.ie/en/schools-colleges/information/childprotection/cp-procedures-primary-postprimary-2011.pdf and on the school website www.fossasnationalschool.com.
See also Circular 46/07 for further details
Organisational Implications:
Supervision
School supervision policy and routines will be followed by all staff to ensure that there is comprehensive supervision of children at all breaks and for defined periods before and after school.
Behaviour:
Children are to be 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.
Visibility
Teachers will ensure that children are visible in the school yard. Children will not be allowed to spend time in classrooms, toilets or sheds where they would not be under adult supervision. They are not to leave the school yard or to engage with adults who are outside of the school yard.
Visitors
Teachers on yard duty will be aware of visitors entering the school yard and will ascertain their intentions. They will be supervised in the discharge of their business. All school entrance/exit doors are locked after the children enter the school. Visitors should not enter the school without contacting the office in Fossa School
Swimming:
Children will travel to the swimming pool in the Coral Leisure Centre, Killarney by bus. Selected Classroom Assistants in the changing room act in ‘loco parentis’ and as such will act as prudent parents helping children to return to school as dry as possible. Parent helpers will be briefed around our swimming procedures.
Children travelling in staff cars:
Teachers will not carry children alone in their cars. At least two children must travel with the teacher in the car or another adult and child.
Induction of Teachers and Ancillary Staff :
The DLP will be responsible for informing all new teachers and ancillary staff of this policy and the Children First Act 2015.
Dealing with children on a one-to-one basis :
If a staff member has to work/deal/communicate with children on a one-to-one basis, they are requested to leave the classroom door open. A glass partition has been fitted in the doors of all resource/special needs rooms.
Attendance :
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.
