Child Safeguarding Statement
Scoil Maelruain Senior is a primary school providing primary education to pupils from Third Class 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 Scoil Maelruain Senior has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
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 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
2 The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mr. Padraic Moore
3 The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP is Ms. Joanne Walsh
4 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.
5 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 abovenamed DLP as the “relevant person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the s 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.
6 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.
7 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 March 14th 2018.
Signed: Frank Moran Signed: 14/03/2018
Chairperson of Board of Management
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: Caitriona Hogan Date: 14/03/2018
C
Notification regarding the Board of Management’s adoption of the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment for Scoil Maelruain Senior
To whom it may concern:
The Board of Management of Scoil Maelruain Senior wishes to inform you that:
- Scoil Maelruain Senior’s Child Safeguarding Statement and the school’s Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment was adopted at the Board meeting of March 14th 2018.
- These documents were prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 and Tusla guidance on these documents.
These documents will be available on the school website www.scoilmaelruainsenior.ie .
Signed: Frank Moran , March 14th 2018
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed: Caitriona Hogan March 14th 2018
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Note: Board of Management meeting was initially scheduled for March 5th. School was closed on this date due to inclement weather.
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment Scoil Maelruain Senior
In accordance with section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 and with the requirement of Chapter 8 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017, the following is the Written Risk Assessment of Scoil Malelruain Senior
- 1. List of school activities
– Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants – Members of the Travelling Community – LGBT children – Pupils perceived to be LGBT – Pupils of minority religious faiths – Children in care – Children on CPNS
– Teachers, SNA’s – Caretaler/Secretary/Cleaners – Sports Coaches – Guest Speakers – Volunteers/Parents in school activities – Visitors/Contractors present in school during school hours/after school hours
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- 2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
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3.The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment –
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| 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 March 14th 2018. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Signed : Frank Moran _Date : 14/03/2018
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed Caitriona Hogan Date : 14/03/2018
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: 14/03/2018 Date: 14/03/2018
Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement
The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 require the Board of Management must undertake a review of its Child Safeguarding Statement and that the following checklist shall be used for this purpose. The review must be completed every year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the Child Safeguarding Statement refers. Undertaking an annual review will also ensure that a school also meets its statutory obligation under section 11(8) of the Children First Act 2015, to review its Child Safeguarding Statement every two years.
The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list of the issues to be considered. Individual Boards of Management shall include other items in the checklist that are of relevance to the school in question.
As part of the overall review process, Boards of Management should also assess relevant school policies, procedures, practices and activities vis a vis their adherence to the principles of best practice in child protection and welfare as set out in the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement, the Children First Act 2015 and the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017.
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Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of the Child Safeguarding Statement
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT _ 2019
To whom it may concern:
The Board of Management of Scoil Maelruain Senior wishes to inform you that:
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of 04/03/2019 .
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
Signed Frank Moran Date : 4/03/2019
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed : Caitriona Hogan Date : 04/03/2019
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Note: The Principal met with the Student Council on 06/03/2019 to seek their feedback in relation to the school’s child safeguarding arrangements.
There is a hardcopy of the review outside the Principal’s office.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT _ 2020
To whom it may concern:
The Board of Management of Scoil Maelruain Senior wishes to inform you that:
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of 23/11/2020 .
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
Signed Frank Moran Date : 23/11/2020
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed : Caitriona Hogan Date : 23/11/2020
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
There is a hardcopy of the review outside the Principal’s office.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT _ 2022
To whom it may concern:
The Board of Management of Scoil Maelruain Senior wishes to inform you that:
- The Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment was adopted by the Board of Management on 9/05/2022.
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at this Board meeting.
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
Signed Frank Moran Date : 9/05/2022
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed : Caitriona Hogan Date : 9/05/2022
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
There is a hardcopy of the review outside the Principal’s office.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 2023
To whom it may concern:
The Board of Management of Scoil Maelruain Senior wishes to inform you that:
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of 15/05/2023.
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
Signed Tony Van der Krogt ( Acting Chairperson) Date : 15/05/2023
Board of Management
Signed : Caitriona Hogan Date : 15/05/2023
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 2023*
To whom it may concern:
The Board of Management of Scoil Maelruain Senior wishes to inform you that:
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of 13/11/2023.
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
Signed Tony Van der Krogt ( Acting Chairperson) Date : 13/11/2023
Board of Management
Signed : Padraic Moore Date : 13/11/2023
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
*This review was conducted in November this year due the appointment of our new principal Padraic Moore. Our next review will be conducted in November 2024.