Child Protection Policy

St.
Broghan’s National
School
Bracknagh Rathangan Co. Kildar e
Child Protection Policy

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 St. Broghan’s National School 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 Mr. Coulston
3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Mr. Eyres.
4. In its policies, practices and activities, St. Broghan’s National 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 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 school policies are particularly relevant to child protection, Code of Behaviour, Anti-
Bullying Policy, Enrolment Policy, Critical Incident policy, Home School Liaison Policy, Internet
Acceptable Use Policy, Mobile Phone Policy, Special Needs Policy, Substance Use Safety Statement and
School Attendance Policy and SPHE Policy.
6. 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.
7. This policy has been made available to school personnel and the Parents’ Association and is readily
accessible to parents on request. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and
the patron if requested.
8. This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year.
This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on _________________[date]
Signed: ____________________________________ Signed: __________________________________

Chairperson of Board of Management Principal
Date: ______________________________________ Date: _____________________________________
Date of next review: ____________________
Best Practice in Child Protection in St. Broghan’s N.S
Accidents
While every precaution will be taken under our Health and Safety Statement to ensure the safety of
children, we realise that accidents will happen. Serious accidents will be noted in our Incident book
and may be addressed as part of Critical Incident Policy.
Attendance
Our school attendance will be monitored as per the National Educational Welfare Board Guidelines.
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.
Behaviour
Children are 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.
Bullying
Bullying behaviour will be addressed under our Anti-Bullying policy. If the behaviour involved is of
a sexualised nature or regarded as being particularly abusive then the matter will be referred to the
DLP.
Children travelling in staff cars

Members of the school staff will not carry children alone in their cars at any time.
Communication
Every effort will be made to enhance pupil-teacher communication. If pupils have concerns they
will be listened to sympathetically. The SPHE/Oral Language/RE programmes allow for open pupil-
teacher communication, which is hoped will aid the pupil-teacher relationship. If teachers have to
communicate with pupils on a one-to-one basis, they are requested to leave the classroom door
open. Teachers are advised to avoid one to one communication if at all possible. If teachers are
placed at risk by the action of a student (e.g. suggestive words or actions by the student) they
should end the interview immediately find another member of staff and tell her/him what has
happened. The teacher should also inform the Principal and confirm details in writing to the
Principal as soon as possible.
Induction of Teachers and Ancillary Staff
The DLP will be responsible for informing all new teachers and ancillary staff of the Children First
Guidelines (2011). The DLP will make a copy of Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post
Primary Schools (2011) and this Child Protection Policy available to read to all new staff.
Induction of Pupils
All parents and children will be made aware of attendance rules and their implications as laid
down in the Education Welfare Act (2000).
Record Keeping
Teachers will keep each child’s file updated with results of assessments carried out and may
record, dates and details of meetings with parents. The records are kept in the strong room. Roll
books will be updated daily. Sensitive information regarding children will be shared on a need-to-
know basis.
Supervision
All staff will ensure that there is comprehensive supervision of children at all breaks.
Swimming
Children will be brought by bus to the swimming pool. Children will line up in an orderly manner
for the bus. All adults will act in ‘loco parentis’ and as such will act as prudent parents in helping
children to return to school as dry as possible. Staff who take classes swimming should make sure
that there are two staff supervising male and female dressing rooms.
Visibility
Teachers will ensure that children are visible in the schoolyard. Children will not be allowed to
spend time in classrooms 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
All visitors must report to a member of staff upon arrival at the school. Teachers on yard duty will
be aware of visitors entering the schoolyard and will ascertain their intentions.
Staff
Staff should not be alone in a classroom with one child or detain a child on their own. If a teacher
must speak to a pupil on their own, another member of staff should be present.
SEN
In the case of SEN pupils where resource hours and assistance are sanctioned on an individual
basis, it is school policy that staff in such a situation should work with the classroom door open,
thus rendering the occupants visible at all times. It may be appropriate for the pupil to be taught in
conjunction with a learning support group. Children with physical disabilities who may require
assistance with toileting matters will be aided by a member of staff who has met the necessary
screening requirements.
Messages
It is advisable that two children should be sent on messages around the school.

Child Protection Policy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Child Protection Policy

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Child Protection Policy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

St.

Child Protection Policy

2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mr. Coulston

3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Mr. Eyres.

Signed: __ Signed:

Date: __ Date: _

Date of next review: ____________________

Best Practice in Child Protection in St. Broghan’s N.S

Children travelling in staff cars

You might also like