Child Protection Policy
Child Protection Policy
Scoil Mhuire,
Kilcruttin,
Co. Offaly
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, 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 Board of Management of Scoil Mhuire has
agreed the following child protection policy:
1. 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 as part of this overall child protection policy.
2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Fionnuala Doheny
3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Marie Conway
4. In its policies, practices and activities, Scoil Mhuire 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 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.
5. The following list of school policies, practices and activities are of particular relevance to our school with regard to child protection.
Policies
Accident/ Injury, Attendance, Bereavement, Bullying, Camogie and Football, Custody/ Separation, Code of Behaviour, Drugs. Extra Curricular Activities, Fire Drill, Health and Safety, Healthy Eating, Homework, I.T, Infants after 2 pm, Interculturalism, Pupils Personal Insurance, Mobile Phones, Parent Teacher Meeting, Pastoral, Relationship and Sexuality Education, Retention of Records, Supervision of Pupils, Sports Day, Strategies for Disadvantage, Supervision of Pupils, Special Needs, Swimming Policy, Tours and Outings, Transfer of Information
Programmes
In Scoil Mhuire the following programmes are taught RSE, Stay Safe and the SPHE Curriculum.
Practices
General Best Practice
Physical contact between school personnel ant 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
School personnel should avoid doing anything of a personal nature for children that they can do for themselves.
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 pornographic material
All media products (CDs, DVDs etc.) should be checked for their appropriateness with regard to age and suitability.
Visitors/ Guest Speakers
·Visitors to the school: Visitors will report to the office on arrival to the school.
Approved guest speakers: When a guest speaker addresses or works with the children the class teacher will remain with the children at all times unless to do so would infringe on the quality of the delivery of the content. In such case prior sanction will be sought from the Board of Management
Toileting
· Children with specific toileting/intimate care needs:
In all situations where a pupil needs assistance with toileting/intimate care needs, arrangements will be agreed with the parents/guardians/class teacher/SNA, and documented. The staff to be involved in this care will be identified and in the case of such persons being absent/unavailable, another member of staff will meet these care needs.
· Toileting accidents: All children from 1st Class to 6th are expected to change themselves. For toileting accidents clean underwear and suitable clothing will be kept in the school. Children will be offered clean clothing into which they can change. If the pupil is unable to clean or change himself/herself and the parents/guardians cannot be contacted, the child will be assisted by members of staff familiar to the child. In all such situations the best practice is that two members of staff should be present. If there is any exception to this practice the parents will be informed, the principal will be notified and a record retained of the incident.
One to One teaching
· Where one-to–one teaching occurs, every effort will be made to ensure that this teaching takes place in an open environment. In the absence of a window panel in the door, the door remains open.
· Work being carried out by Special Needs Assistant will be carried out under the direction of the class teacher in an open environment. In the absence of a window panel in the door, the door remains open.
Changing for Games/ PE/ Swimming
Pupils will be expected to dress and undress themselves for Games/Swimming. Where assistance is needed this will be done in the communal area 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. In such situations where privacy is required, the parents/guardians of the child will be asked to assist the child.
Children travelling in staff cars
Members of the school staff will not carry children alone in their cars at any time.
Communication
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 Staff
The DLP will be responsible for informing all new teachers and ancillary staff of the Child Protection Procedures for Scoil Mhuire, and the Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011). All staff must have a copy of the Child Protection Policy.
Internet Safety
It is the intention of the Principal and Staff at Scoil Mhuire 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 Board has ensured that the necessary policies, protocols or practices as appropriate are in place in respect of each of the above listed items.
6. This policy has been made available to school personnel and the Parents’ Association and is readily accessible to parents on request. A copy is also available on the school website. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and the patron if requested.
7. This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year.
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 21st March 2012
The policy was reviewed at the Board meeting on 18th October 2012.
