Loreto Primary School Rathfarnham 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, 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 Loreto 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 Sr Maria Hyland
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Mrs Olivia O Connor
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 adopted by the Board of Management on 8th March 2018 and was reviewed and adopted again in 2019 and reviewed again on 4th March 2020 and will be reviewed in March 2021.
Chairperson of Board of Management 4th March 2021
Principal 4th March 2021
Date of next review: 4th March 2022
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
of any potential harm in Loreto Primary School, Grange Road, Rathfarnham
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 of Management training |
One to one teaching | Med | Harm by school personnel | School has policy in place for one to one teaching
Open doors Table between teacher and pupil Glass panel in door including Principal’s Office |
Care of children with special needs, including intimate care needs | High | Harm by school personnel | Policy on intimate care. |
Toilet areas | High | Inappropriate behaviour | Usage and supervision of children |
Curricular Provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay safe. | Med | Non-teaching of same | School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in full |
Managing of challenging behaviour amongst pupils | High | Injury to pupils and staff | Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Behaviour |
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 |
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils | Med | Harm from other pupils, unknown adults on the playground
Traffic on avenue Inappropriate behaviour |
Arrival and dismissal Policy & Procedures
Supervision Policy Teachers/SNAs Traffic Management Procedures in place Health & Safety Policy |
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 |
Classroom teaching | Med | Harm from other pupils. Harm to teacher/SNA | Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Behaviour |
Outdoor teaching activities
|
High | Injury to Pupils | Policy & Procedures in place
Health & Safety Policy Code Of Behaviour |
Sporting Activities
|
High | Harm by school personnel
In jury to pupils |
Policy & Procedures in place
Health & Safety Policy Code Of Behaviour |
Choir | Med | Injury to pupils by another pupil | Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Behaviour |
Sports Coaches | Med | Harm to pupils | Policy & Procedures in place
Health & Safety Policy Code Of Behaviour Garda Vetting |
Students participating in work experience | Low | Harm by student | Work experience Policy
Child Safeguarding Statement. |
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 |
Educational Trips/Matches
|
High | Harm by school personnel
Injury to pupils by another pupil |
Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Behaviour Garda Vetting |
Use of toilet | High | Inappropriate Behaviour | Usage and supervision policy
|
Changing for sport activities | High | Inappropriate Behaviour | Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Behaviour |
Annual Sports Day
|
High | Injury to pupils by another pupil
Injury to pupil |
Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Behaviour |
Use of off-site facilities for school activities
|
Educational Trips Policy | ||
Volunteers/Parents | Med | Harm to pupils | Vetting Procedures
Policy for Parents/Volunteers |
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 |
Administration of First Aid | High | Harm to pupils | Administration of Medicine/ First Aid policy |
Administration of Medicine
|
High | Harm to pupils | Administration of Medicine/ First Aid policy |
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
|
Low | Possible Harm to pupils | All Bullying issues dealt with immediately no matter how trivial |
Training of school personnel in child protection matters
|
High | Teachers all trained on Tusla and external Speakers | |
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 |
Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities and Special Needs | High | Injury to other pupils/ school personnel
Inappropriate Behaviour |
SNA’s are applied for children with SEN and require extra help.
Toileting and intimate care are done according to Child Protection Policy |
Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/ needs such as
· Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants · Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children · Pupils perceived to be LGBT · Pupils of minority religious faiths · Children in care · Children on CPNS
|
Med | Injury by pupils to other pupils
/ school personnel Inappropriate Behaviour Bullying |
Code of Behaviour
Child Protection Policy
|
Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school
|
High | Bullying
Staff not following policies & procedures |
ICT policy
Anti-Bullying Policy Code of Behaviour |
Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour , confiscation of phones etc.
|
|||
Students participating in work experience in the school
|
Injury to Pupils
Inappropriate Behaviour |
Students not on their own with pupils | |
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school
|
Injury to Pupils
Inappropriate Behaviour |
Code of behaviour
Child protection policy given to each student for TP Folder |
|
Use of video/photography/other media to record school events
|
Placing videos on internet without permission | Permission always sought for taking photos/DVD/Video | |
Entrance Area | High | Unathorised people entering and injury to Staff and children | Gate locked and Keypad on gate |
Car Park | High | Harm to Children | Letters advising parents no entry to lane in car at drop off and collection times
painted lines defining pedestrian walkway |
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 has been completed by the Board of Management on 4th March 2020 It will be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Chairperson, Board of Management Date 4th March 2021
Date 4th March 2021
Principal
Date of next review March 2022