Christ the King Child Safeguarding Statement Christ the King G.N.S. is a primary school providing primary education to pupils from Second 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 Addendum to Children First (2019), 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 Christ the King G.N.S.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 Gemma Haughey
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP is Rebecca Hogan)
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, 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 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.
This statement has been published on the school’s website and has been provided to all members of school personnel 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 13/03/2018 Reviewed 07/12/2021.
Signed: Joey Furlong Signed: Gemma Haughey Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: 08/12/21 Date: 08/12/21
Christ the King Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment 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 Christ the King GNS].
List of School Activities The School has identified the following Risk of Harm in respect of its activities
The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment -
Training of school personnel in Child Protection matters Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel
Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 are made available to all school personnel 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
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 Maintains records of all staff and board member training
Curricular Provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay safe. Risk of harm due to not implementing these programmes The school implements the Stay Safe Programme The school implements the SPHE curriculum 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
One to one teaching Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel
The school has a Special Educational Needs Policy The class door will be left open when one to one teaching takes place in classrooms There are glass panels in the classroom doors
Classroom teaching Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy All staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
Outdoor teaching activities
Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel
The school has Code of Behaviour Policy All staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
Recreation breaks for pupils
Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child
The school has Code of Behaviour There is a teacher supervising. The teacher has a Yard book to note incidents SNAs are present in classes with pupils with SEN
List of School Activities The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment
One to one counselling Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel
The school has Code of Behaviour Policy All staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement The school implements the Stay Safe Programme Classroom door remains open
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child Risk of child being harmed in the school by an adult in the yard The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school has a Parent Code of Conduct policy
Unscheduled arrival of parents/visitors into the school Risk of child being harmed in the school by an adult
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school has a Parent Code of Conduct policy
Managing of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child
The school has a Code Of Behaviour Policy The school has a Health & Safety Policy Teacher removes whole class group from classroom if necessary Teacher sends for assistance if deemed necessary
Sports Coaches Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation and relevant DES circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting The class teacher stays with the class
Homework club
Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child Risk of child being harmed in the school by school personnel
The school has Code of behaviour There are always two teachers present in school
Use of off-site facilities for school activities- Swimming
Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities Risk of child being harmed in the school by school personnel Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe policies The Child Safe Guarding Statement of the Swimming Pool Class teachers supervise
List of School Activities The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment
School outings
Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The number of adults supervising class will vary depending on needs/behaviour of particular class The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe Policies
Use of toilet during lunch break
Risk of child being harmed by another child
Pupils must ask supervising teacher for permission to leave the yard to use toilet facilities Pupils with SEN are accompanied by SNA The school has a Code of behaviour The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy
Use of toilet during class time Risk of child being harmed by another child
He school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy Pupils with SEN are accompanied by SNA
Care of Children with special needs, including intimate care needs
Risk of child being harmed by school personnel
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 SPHE and Stay Safe policies SNA accompanies pupils with SEN to the toilet
Annual Sports Day in off-site facility
Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe policies Child Safe Guarding Statement of sports centre
Fundraising events involving pupils
Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe policies Teachers supervise event
Participation by pupils in religious events outside school hours Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child
The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe policies
Church Child Safe Guarding Statement
Administration of Medicine Administration of First Aid
Risk of child being harmed by school personnel
The school has a First aid policy Two pupils are present when getting first aid
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils Risk of child being harmed by another child
The school has an Anti- bullying policy The school has a Code of behaviour The school implements SPHE and Stay Safe policies
List of School Activities The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment
Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum
Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation The school implements SPHE and Stay Safe policies The school has a Child Safe Guarding Statement Teacher remains in the class
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
Children on CPNS
Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child
The school has a Code of Behaviour The school has an Anti Bullying Policy The school implements the SPHE Policy and Stay Safe policies
Recruitment of school personnel including -
Teachers
SNA’s
Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaners
Sports coaches
External Tutors/Guest Speakers
Volunteers/Parents in school activities
Visitors/contractors present in school during school hours
Visitors/contractors present during after school activities
Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel
Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 are made available to all school personnel 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 adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation and relevant DES circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting
List of School Activities
The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment
Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school
Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school
The school has an Acceptable Use Policy The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe Policy
Use of online teaching and remote learning Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by another child Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school
The school has an Acceptable Use Policy The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe Policy
Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour
Risk of child being harmed by school personnel
The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy The school has a Code of Behaviour Policy The school implements the SPHE and Stay Safe Policy Parent informed about sanctions imposed
TY students participating in work experience in the school
Risk of child being harmed by a student Child Safeguarding Statement made available Supervision by class teacher Students over 16 garda vetted
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school
Risk of child being harmed by a student Child Safe Guarding Statement made available Students vetted by colleges
Use of video/photography/other media to record school events
Risk of child being harmed by school personnel Risk of child being harmed by others
The school has an Acceptable Use Policy Message to parents informing them that all photos/recordings of school events are for personal use only and may not be put on social media/youtube
After school use of school premises by other organisations
Risk of child being harmed by a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities
Each groups has their own Child Safe Guarding Statements
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 07/12/2021. It willl be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.