Download Child Safeguarding Statement  (pdf, 220kb)

St. Fiachra’s Senior National School is a primary school providing primary education to pupils from Third 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 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 St. Fiachra’s SNS 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   Mr. Kieran Creaner, Principal .

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Ms. Maura Ryan , Deputy Principal.

All members of staff are Mandated Persons as defined by Children First Act 2015.

 

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; and
  • 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 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, 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 attached as an appendix to these procedures.

 

  • 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.

 

 

  • 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 first adopted by the Board of Management on 12/3/2018. This edition was reviewed and is dated December 18th 2019. The next review is scheduled for October 20th  2020.

 

Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

(of any potential harm)

 List of School Activities Risk Level 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 High Harm not recognised or reported promptly Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff

 

DLP& DDLP to attend PDST face to face training

All Staff to view Tusla training module & any other online training offered by PDST

 

BOM records all records of staff and board training

(Tusla, PDST, CPSMA etc)

Teaching

One to one teaching

Med Harm by school personnel Open doors / Window in door

Special Ed teaching may include one-to-one teaching. Parents will be informed when signing consent form.

Movement of pupils from room to room and building to building monitored

Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils on campus Med Harm from other pupils, unknown adults on the playground; Bullying

 

Arrival and Dismissal & Supervision Procedures

in place, see Supervision Policy.

Daily arrival of pupils for school and dismissal of pupils from school premises High Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child, parent, adult, volunteer or visitor to the school;

Bullying; Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing or using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school.

 

Assembly areas monitored by all members of staff from 8.40 to 8.50 and by class teachers at 2.30 to point of dismissal, see Supervision Policy.

Main doors of all school buildings are fitted with key pad entry and/or buzzer entry.

School Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and all school personnel are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015.

The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the Department’s Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

The school has a playground supervision policy to ensure appropriate supervision of children at assembly, dismissal and breaks and in respect of specific areas such as toilets, changing rooms etc.

Parents advised of supervision arrangements.

Recreation breaks for pupils High Injury to pupils/Bullying

Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported

Policy & Procedures in place

Health & Safety Policy

Code of Behaviour

Anti-Bullying policy

First Aid Procedures and Administration of Medicines Policy

Recreation breaks of pupils: Yard time

 

 

 

Low Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel , another child, volunteer or visitor to the school.

Risk of harm due to bullying of child

Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult

Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school

Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities

Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care

 

Pupils are adequately supervised with at least two adults supervising each play area. The school has a yard supervision policy to ensure appropriate supervision of children during assembly, dismissal and breaks and in respect of specific areas such as toilets, changing rooms etc.

School Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and all registered teaching staff are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015

The school implements in full the Stay Safe Programme as part of the SPHE curriculum as directed by DES.

The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the Department’s Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools

Note : If a child has to leave the yard due to injury or sickness, the SNA, and an accompanying second child will bring the child to the school reception area.

On wet days, children are supervised in their classrooms. Wet day roster in place.

Only trained SNA personnel attend to intimate care needs of SEN pupils.

Students participating in work experience in the school

Student teachers undertaking training placement in school

 

Med Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel

Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child

Risk of child being harmed in the school by volunteer or visitor to the school

Risk of child being harmed in the school by volunteer or visitor to the school due to inadequate training or familiarity with school Child Protection procedures

 

All visitors to the school will be obliged to wear ID badges. All visitors to the school working with the pupils must be Garda vetted.

School Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and all registered teaching staff including Student Teachers and TY students are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015.  They will be made aware of the school Child Safeguarding Statement.

Vetted TY and TP students only are permitted to work in the school

The school implements in full the Stay Safe Programme, SPHE curriculum and RSE programme.

When a teacher needs to leave the classroom, the teacher in the room nearest will be informed and will supervise the class.

Teaching staff will comply with the Teaching Council code of Professional Conduct for teachers.

Managing of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint High Injury to pupils and staff, inappropriate touch accidentally

Flight risk

Health & Safety Policy

Code of Behaviour

Child accompanied to office and class supervised by teacher of another class

 

Administration of First Aid / Medicine Low Injury or harm to pupils by pupils or school staff or coaches See Administration of Medicines Policy
Care of pupils 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

Med Bullying

Staff not following policies & procedures

Harm to pupils, school personnel by pupils

Anti-Bullying Policy

Code of Behaviour

AUP policy to help prevent injury by cyber activity

 

 

Anti-Bullying Policy

Code of Behaviour

AUP policy to help prevent injury by cyber activity

 

 

Inappropriate use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school

 

High Harm to pupils, school personnel by pupils misusing digital devices; exposure to inappropriate material AUP policy; Anti-Bullying Policy; Code of Behaviour,

Mobile Phone Policy

Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including suspension of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.

 

Sporting activities/ school outings include:

Croke Park,Santry sports

Ellenfield ,fixtures with other schools, Cross country racing in Portmarnock & Santry Demesne, Swimming,

Sports Day ,Concerts , adventure centres, local library, museum trips, Fighting Words, Sean O’ Casey community theatre,

areas of interest in Dublin City; other local secondary schools

School Tours

Religious Ceremonies: Mass, Ceremony of Light, ‘You Shall Be My Witnesses’, Graduation ceremonies (evening)

Injury or harm to pupils by pupils, or school staff, or coaches, strangers or others. Inadequate supervision.

Flight risk ;

Access to pupils by strangers ;

Inappropriate activity by pupils e.g. use of mobile phones ;

Danger posed by unfamiliar environment e.g. use of  individual toilet/ changing/shower areas;

Children becoming lost or isolated from group

Risk to child arriving too early or returning home unaccompanied

Risk to children from adult coaches

 

School trip risk assessment protocol in place

At least two members of staff are present with First Aid kit to hand etc. All personnel to be adequately trained and Garda Vetted

 

Adherence  to Code of Behaviour for school tours/outings which includes walking in pairs, buddy system, uniforms/tracksuits must be worn

Two classes to attend mass together;

Parents informed by school of evening assemblies & advised regarding accompanying child to and from evening ceremonies & activities

Parents & helpers vetted

Children to inform teachers of who is collecting them from activity

Provision for another adult with children who become ill

See Swimming and School Tours and Outings Policies

Book Fair & Art Exhibition during school time Med Flight risk

Risk of child being harmed by stranger

Children are supervised by teachers
After School Activities (School staff) High Risk of children being harmed by unknown persons. Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel.  Risk of child being harmed by another child. Children not being collected on time. Teachers to maintain a register of attendance with pupil contact data, transport home etc.

Parents informed of dismissal times and any alterations to routine

Fundraising High Risk of child being harmed by stranger Fundraising will be limited to family and extended family as far as possible

Children will be supervised by parents

Door to door canvassing not allowed

Cycle Training Low Injury or harm to pupils by pupils or school staff or coaches All personnel to be adequately trained and Garda Vetted, wear an ID badge, be aware of the Child Protection Statement and Procedures
Volunteers/Parents

Maintenance personnel working or assisting in the school

Med Harm to pupils

Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported

Assistants will wear ID badges in school, personnel to be Garda Vetted if warranted (long stay)

 

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 was completed by the Board of Management on June 12th 2018 and reviewed June 2019. It will be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement and /or whenever changes in legislation dictate.