School Policies
Child Protection Policy
Dublin 7 Educate Together
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
November 2008
General
The school aims to provide its pupils with the highest standards of care and protection, in order to promote each child's well-being and safeguard him/her from harm while in the school. The Board of Management of D7 Educate Together School has adopted the Children First" Guidelines of the Department of Health & Children 1999 and the "Child Protection" Procedures and Guidelines of the Department of Education & Science 2001.
Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
The School Principal is the Designated Liaison Person ( DLP ) and the Deputy Principal is the Deputy Designated Liaison Person. Should circumstances warrant it, the Deputy Principal shall act as DLP.The DLP has specific responsibility for child protection and will represent the school in all dealing with the HSE, An Garda Siochana and other parties in connection with allegations of abuse. All matters pertaining to the processing or investigation of child abuse should be processed through the DLP. Due to changes in school personnel it is necessary to reassign these roles this school year. For the school year 2008-2009, these roles are assigned to the following staff:
DLP - Principal
Deputy DLP - Deputy Principal
The 3 'P's
D7ET follows the Department of Education & Science s Guidelines on Child Protection and emphasises the 3 Ps in relation to child protection:
Prevention Education - covered in SPHE strand - Myself and strand unit - Safety & Protection RSE strand - Myself and strand unit - Taking care of my body.
Procedures for reporting suspected abuse - Person who suspects abuse reports it to the DLP/DDLP. The DLP/DDPL either seeks advice from HSE or makes a report to them. D7ET is in community area 6 based on Rathdown Road. The Chairperson of the BOM is informed. If it is not possible to contact the HSE and it is felt a child is in danger the Gardai are contacted.
Practices - D7ET endeavours at all times to ensure the safety of the children and adults in our school (See our H&S practices and procedures).
Guidelines for Recognition of Child Abuse
All signs and symptoms must be examined in the total context of the child's situation and family circumstances. There are commonly three stages in the identification of child abuse. These are: -Considering the possibility - Looking out for signs of abuse - Recording of information and confidential storing of same.
Handling Disclosures from Children
When information is offered in confidence, the member of staff will need to act with sensitivity in responding to the disclosure. The member of staff will need to reassure the child, and retain his/her trust, while explaining the need for action and the possible consequences, which will necessarily involve other adults being informed. It is important to tell the child that everything possible will be done to protect and support him/her but not to make promises that cannot be kept e.g. promising not to tell anyone else. The welfare of the child is regarded as the first and paramount consideration. Insofar as is practicable, due consideration will be given to, having regard to age and understanding, the wishes of the child. The following advice is offered to school personnel to whom a child makes a disclosure of abuse:
Remain calm
Listen to the child with sensitivity and openness
Take all disclosures seriously
Do not ask leading questions or make suggestions to the child
Offer reassurance but do not make promises
Do not stop a child recalling significant events
Do not over react
Explain that further help may have to be sought
Record the discussion accurately and retain the record of dates, times, names, locations, context and factual details of conversation.
This information should then be passed onto the DLP and a record will be retained in the school in a designated secure location (filing cabinet in DLP's office to which there is restricted access). If the reporting person or member of the school staff and the DLP is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion/allegation, the procedures for reporting as laid out in 'Child Protection Guildelines and Procedures' Department of Education and Science,March 2001 Chapter3, P.11 will be adhered to.
All information regarding concerns of possible child abuse should only be shared on a need to know basis in the interests of the child. The test is whether or not the person has any legitimate involvement or role in dealing with the issue. However, giving information to those who need to have that information, for the protection of a child who may have been, or has been abused, is not a breach of confidentiality.
The DLP (or DDLP), when submitting a report to the HSE or An Garda Siochana should inform a parent/guardian unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place the child at further risk. A decision not to inform a parent/guardian should be briefly recorded together with the reasons for not doing so.
It is not the responsibility of school staff to make enquiries of parents or guardians, and in some cases it could be counter-productive for them to do so. It is a matter for the appropriate health board to investigate suspected abuse and determine what action to take, including informing An Garda Siochana.
In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, and it is not possible to make contact with the appropriate HSE, An Garda Siochana should be contacted immediately. Under no circumstances should a child be left in a dangerous situation pending HSE intervention.
The Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed before the DLP makes contact with the relevant authorities unless the situation demands that more immediate action to be taken for the safety of the child in which case the Chairperson may be informed after the report has been submitted.
Allegations Against School Employees
The most important consideration for the Chairperson, Board of Management or the DLP is the safety and protection of the child. However, employees also have a right to protection against claims which are false or malicious. As employers, the Board of Management should always seek legal advice as the circumstances can vary from one case to another. There are two procedures to be followed:
i. The reporting Procedure
ii. The Procedure for dealing with the Employee.
The DLP has responsibility for reporting the matter to the HSE. The Chairperson, Board of Management has responsibility, acting in consultation with his/her Board, for addressing the employment issues. If the allegation is against the DLP, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will assume the responsibility for reporting the matter to the HSE.
Reporting
When an allegation of abuse is made against a school employee, the DLP should immediately act in cacordance with the procedures outlined in Child Protection Guildelines and Procedures' Departmentof Education and Science,March 2001.
A written statement of the allegation should be sought from the person/agency making the report. The DLP should always inform the Chairperson of the Board of Management. A Department of Health and Children recording template form is in Appendix B.
School employees, other than the DLP, who receive allegations against another school employee, should immediately report the matter to the DLP. School employees who form suspicions regarding conduct of another school employee should consult with the DLP. The procedures outlined herein will then be followed.The chairperson of the Board and DLP should make the employee aware privately-
a) That an allegation has been made against him/her
b) The nature of the allegation
c) Whether or not the HSE or Garda has been/will be/must be/should be informed.
The employee should be given a copy of the written allegation and any other relevant documentation.The employee should be requested to respond to the allegation in writing to the Board of Management within a specified period and told that this may be passed to the Garda, HSE, and legal advisers.
The priority in all cases is that no child be exposed to unnecessary risk. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, the Chairperson should take any necessary protective measures. These measure should be proportionate to the level of risk and should not unreasonably penalise the employee in any way unless to protect the child.
If the nature of the allegations warrant immediate action in the Chairperson s opinion, the Board of Management should be convened to consider the matter. The Board will consider feedback if any has been received from the HSE, Gardai or relevant source. This may result in the Board of Management directing that the employee absent him/herself from the school forthwith while the matter is being investigated (Administrative Leave).
When the Board of Management is unsure as to whether this should occur, advice should be sought from the Garda and/or the Child Care Manager of the HSE and the legal advisers to the Board of Management.
Administrative Leave
Should the Board of Management direct that the employee absent him/herself as above, such absence of the employee would be regarded as administrative leave of absence with pay and not suspension and would not imply any degree of guilt. The DES should be immediately informed.
Board of Management
The Chairperson should inform the Board of Management of all the details and remind the members of their serious responsibility to maintain strict confidentiality on all matters relating to the issue and the principles of due process and natural justice.
Ratified by Board of Management on __11th November 2008________________
Signed __John McDaid________________________________________
Chairperson,
Board of Management
Community Care Area for Dublin 7 Educate Together : Area 6
Address : Rathdown Road, Dublin 7
Phone No. : 01 - 8825195
Fax No. : 01 - 8825153
Appendix A
Extract from Department of Health and Children Children First Guidelines,
May 2004, Page 38
4.4 Standard Reporting Procedure
4.4.1 If child abuse is suspected or alleged, the following steps should be taken by members of the public or professionals who come into contact with children:
(i) A report should be made to the HSE in person, by phone or in writing. Each HSE area has a social worker on duty for a certain number of hours each day. The duty social worker is available to meet with, or talk on the telephone, to persons wishing to report child protection concerns.
(ii) It is generally most helpful if persons wishing to report child abuse concerns make personal contact with the duty social worker. This will facilitate the social worker in gathering as much information as possible about the child and his or her parents/carers.
(iii) In the event of an emergency, or the non availability of HSE staff, the report should be made to An Garda Siochana. This may be done at any Garda Station.
NOTE: A Standard Form for Reporting Child Protection and/or Welfare Concerns to a HSE is at Appendix 4 (Appendix B in D7ET Child Protection Policy document). This is for use by staff and volunteers in organisations which work with children or who are in contact with children. If a report is made by phone, this form should be forwarded subsequently to the HSE.
4.5 Information Required when a Report is Being Made
4.5.1 The ability of the HSE and/or An Garda Siochana to assess suspicions or allegations of child abuse will depend on the amount and quality of information conveyed to them by persons reporting their oncerns. As much as possible of the following detail should be given in the Standard Reporting Form or by telephone:
(i) accurate identifying information as far as it is known. This should include the names, addresses and ages of the child and all children in the family as well as the parents'/ carers' names and address;
(ii) name and address of the person alleged to be causing harm to the child;
(iii) a full account of what constitutes the grounds for concern about the welfare and protection of the child or children;
(iv) source of any information which is being discussed with the HSE;
(v) dates when the concern arose, or a particular incident occurred;
(vi) circumstances in which the concern arose, or the incident occurred;
(vii) any explanation offered to account for the risk, injury or concern;
(viii) the child s own statement, if relevant;
(ix) any other information regarding difficulties which the family may be experiencing. These may include illness, recent bereavement or separation, financial situation, addiction, disability, mental health problem;
(x) any factors which may be considered supportive or protective of the family. These may include helpful family members, neighbours, useful services or projects with whom they have contact;
(xi) name of child or children s school;
(xii) name of child and/or family s general practitioner;
(xiii) the reporter s own involvement with the child and parents/carers;
(xiv) details of any action already taken about the risk or concern;
(xv) names and addresses of any agencies or key persons involved with the parents/carers;
(xvi) identity of reporters including name, address, telephone number, occupation, and relationship with the family.
4.5.2 Any professional who suspects child abuse should inform the parents/carers if a report is to be submitted to the HSE or An Garda Siochana unless doing so is likely to endanger the child.
4.5.3 In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, and a duty social worker is unavailable, An Garda Siochana should be contacted. Under no circumstances should a child be left in a dangerous situation pending HSE intervention.
Appendix B
Extract from Department of Science and Education 'Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures', March 2001, Appendix 1
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Standard reporting form for reporting child protection and welfare concerns to a HSE
1 Date of Report:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2 Name of person reporting:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3 Address of person reporting:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4 Relationship of reporting person with child:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5 Method of Report (telephone call, personal call to office):
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6 Family Details:
Details of child concerned
Surname: __________________________________________________________________
Forename:_________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ______________________________________________________________
Male/Female:_______________________________________________________________
Alias (known as): ___________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
____
__________________________________________________________________________
Telephone No:_____________________________________________________________
7 State whether you consider your report to indicate
a) suspected or actual child abuse or b) need for family support, giving reasons:
Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Neglect
Suspected
Actual
8 Details of other family/household members:
name age relationship to child employment/school location
In cases of emergency, or outside HSE hours, reports should be made to An Garda
Siochana.
9 Name of other professionals involved with child/ren and/or parents/carers.
Public health nurse:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
School:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
General Practitioner:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Any other agency or professional involved:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(please describe the nature of the involvement)
10 Report Details
Describe, as fully as possible, the nature of the problem or incident being reported, giving
details of times and dates of individual incidents, the circumstances in which they occurred,
any other persons who were present at the time, and their involvement.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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11 Has any explanation been offered by the child and/or parents/carers, which would account
for the current problem or incident? (Details)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
12 As far as possible, describe the state of the child/ren s physical, mental and emotional
well-being.
___________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
13 If child abuse is being alleged, who is believed to be responsible for causing it?
Include (if known)
Name:_____________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Degree of contact with child:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Degree of contact with other children:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
14 Describe (in detail) any risks to which the child/ren in this situation are believed to be
exposed.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
15 How did this information come to your attention?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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16 What has prompted you to report your concern at this time?
___________________________________________________________________________
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17 What evidence of harm exists at present?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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18 Are there any factors in the child and/or parents/carers present situation, which may have
relevance to the current concern? (For example; recent illness, bereavement, separation,
addiction, mental health problem or other difficulty)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
19 Are there any factors in the child and/or parents/carers present situation, which could be
considered protective or helpful (for example, extended family or community support).
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
20 Has any action been taken in response to the current concern or incident (details)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
21 Are the child s parents/carers aware that this concern is being reported to the HSE?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
22 Is there a need for urgent protective action at this point?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
23 Any other comments.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Signed: ________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________