Laragh 2 N.S. Child Safeguarding Statement & Risk Assessment

Laragh 2 N.S. 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, 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 Laragh 2 N.S. 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 Schools 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement

 

  • The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is     ________Aonghus Byrne_________________

 

  • The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is ______Maria Carolan____________________

 

  • 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 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 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 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.

  • 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.
  • 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 __6th March 2018___

Signed:                   Signed:

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

Date:     ____6th March 2018_________                     Date:    __6th March 2018________­­­­­­­_

The Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by Board of Management 27th September 2021.

 

 

  Risk   Code of Behaviour
Activity Risk Risk of What Procedure
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils High Risk of harm to pupil, school personnel by another pupil or outside person. Supervision policy.

Highlight drop off times.

Entry and exit to school.

Morning time – clear.

Recreation breaks for pupils

 

 

 

Low Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel.  Risk of harm by another pupil.  Risk of bullying of child. Supervision Policy Anti Bullying Policy

Vetting

Yard Policy

Code of Behaviour

 

Classroom teaching

 

 

 

Medium Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel.  Risk of harm by another pupil.  Risk of bullying of child.

 

Recruitment and Procedures and Vetting.   Policy for substitute teachers.  Anti-bullying.  All staff provided with safeguarding statement.  SPHE policy.

Teaching council. Professional Contract.

One-to-one teaching

 

 

 

High Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel.

Risk of harm to Children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities.

Special Education Needs policy.  Clear policy on one to one teaching eg. Glass windows in door.  Recruitment Vetting Procedures.
Outdoor teaching

Activities

 

 

Medium Risk of harm to pupil by outside person Policy on teaching outdoors – depends on subject area.

Teacher present.

Garda vetting of regular visitors.

Sporting Activities

 

 

 

High Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel.  Risk of harm by another pupil.  Risk of harm by member of another organisation. Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision. P.E. policy. Health and safety policy  Stay safe programme. Particular policy for swimming.  Vetting of all volunteers involved in coaching.  Policy on the Administration of First Aid.
School Outings

 

 

 

 

High Risk of harm to pupil by unknown person.  Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision. School Tour Policy

Stay safe programme

SPHE

 

 

 

School trips involving overnight stay

 

N/A    
Annual Sports Day

 

 

 

 

High Risk of harm by another pupil.  Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel. Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision.  Risk of harm by bullying. Risk of adult harming child. Strict Policy on supervision during the day.  Clearly defined that teachers are in charge.
Fundraising events involving pupils

 

 

High Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel. Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision.  Risk of adult harming child. Health and Safety.  Adequate supervision procedures in place.
Use of off-site facilities for school activities

 

High Risk of harm to pupil by other adults. Adequate supervision.

Health and safety policy Vetting procedures. Defined roles e.g. in church

School transport arrangements including use of bus escorts

 

 

High Risk of harm by bullying.  Risk of adult harming pupil. Stay Safe

Vetting procedures of company checked.

Appointment of monitors.

Spot checks – number on buses.

 

 

Care of children with special educational needs, including intimate care where needed High Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel.  Risk of child being harmed by member of school personnel. Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship between child and another adult/child. Risk of abuse when receiving intimate care needs. Child Safeguarding statement.

Staff adhering to Child Protection Procedures 2017. Intimate needs/care plan with pupil/parents.

SEN policy.

Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required High Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel. Clear Policy for restraint.

Code of Behaviour .

Agreed plans with parent/School SEN policy.

Administration of medicine

 

 

Medium Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel. Administration of Medicine Policy – 2 people present.

Stay safe

SPHE

 

Administration of First Aid

 

 

Medium Risk of harm to pupil by member of school personnel. First Aid Policy – 2 people present
Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe

 

Low Risk of child being harmed and being unsure of situation. Full Implementation of SPHE, RSE and Stay Safe
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils

 

Medium Risk of harm by bullying Anti Bullying Policy

SPHE

Stay Safe

 

Training of school personnel in child protection matters

 

Low  

Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel. Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by a member of school personnel.

 

Child Safeguarding Statement.

School personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary Schools 2017 and all registered staff are required to adhere to Children First Act 2015.

Encourages Training for all staff.

Maintains records of all staff training.

Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum Low Risk of child being harmed by outside member of organisation. Vetting procedures followed.

Clear programme of work provided.

Teacher is always present.

Use of external personnel to support sports and other extra-curricular activities Low Risk of child being harmed by outside member of organisation. Vetting procedures followed.

Clear programme of work provided.

Teacher is always present.

Care of pupil 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

Low Risk of child being harmed by another pupil or the child being bullied. Stay Safe.

SPHE

RE

Recruitment of school personnel including-

-Teachers/SNA’s

–  Caretakers/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

Medium Risk of child being harmed by member of school personnel.

Risk of child being harmed by outside person.

Garda Vetting.

Recruitment procedures strictly followed.

References checked.

Clear guidelines and safety statements to and from contractors.

Participation by pupils in religious ceremonies/religious instruction external to the school High Risk of child being harmed by a member of outside organisation. Stay Safe

RSE

Vetting

Supervision

Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school

 

High Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, texting, digital device or other manner. School IT Policy.

Use of school server.

Stay Safe

RSE

Anti Bullying Policy

Remote Learning High Risk of harm to pupil.  Risk of inappropriate material shown to class AUP policy and Remote Learning

 

Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc. Low Risk of harm to pupil by school personnel. Code of Behaviour

Mobile Phone Policy

Students participating in work experience in the school

 

Medium Risk of harm to pupils from older child

Risk of harm to student

Vetting (if applicable)

Documentation from school involved.

Supervision

Working in a group setting.

Students from the school participating in work experience elsewhere

 

 

 

N/A    
Student teachers undertaking training in school and inspectors

 

Medium Risk of harm from outside personnel. Vetting

Teacher in class supervising.

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

 

High Risk of harm by member of school personnel or other accessing/circulating inappropriate material via electronic means Procedure for use of media.

Consent forms.

After school use of school premises by other organisations

 

High Risk of harm by other member of community.

Bullying

Vetting

Contract with guidelines.

Use of school premises by other organisations during the school day N/A    
Homework club/evening study

 

 

N/A