Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment for Cloonakilla NS
Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment
Cloonakilla NS 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 Addendum to Children First (2019), the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023), the Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the board of management of Cloonakilla NS has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
- The board of management/management authority of Cloonakilla NS has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023).
- The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mary O’Rourke_______________________________
- The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Siobhan McCabe ______________________________
- The Relevant Person is Mary O’Rourke_________________________________
(The relevant person is one who can provide information in respect of how the child safeguarding statement was developed and will be able to provide the statement on request. This person can also be the DLP)
- The Board of Management/Management authority of Cloonakilla NS recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school and boarding school life and must be reflected in all of the school’s/management authority’s policies, procedures, practices and activities. In its policies, procedures, practices and activities, the board of management/management authority will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:
The board of management/management authority 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 and care of their children; and
- fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.
The school/boarding facility 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/boarding facility, the board of management/management authority adheres to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023), the relevant procedures set out in the Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for school/boarding facility staff which are published on the gov.ie.
- In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, the board of management/management authority 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 Department of Education and available on gov.ie.
- 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 board of management/management authority-
- Has provided each member of staff with a copy of the school/boarding facility’s Child Safeguarding Statement
- Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the school/boarding facility’s Child Safeguarding Statement
- Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
- Encourages board of management/management authority members to avail of relevant training
- The board of management/management authority maintains records of all staff and board member training
- In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all school/boarding facility personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) and the Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 including, in the case of registered teachers and any boarding facility staff who are mandated persons, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.
- There is a procedure in place for maintaining a list of mandated persons. All registered teachers employed by the school/management authority are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.
(A boarding authority may have mandated persons other than teachers employed in the facility e.g. pastoral care worker, registered nurse, member of the clergy or others who could be listed in this paragraph. Please refer to Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015. This link may be helpful: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/mandated-persons/am-i-a-mandated-person/ and this bracketed section should be deleted when this paragraph has been completed)
- In accordance with the Children First Act 2015 and the Addendum to Children First (2019), the board/management authority has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the school/boarding facility or participating in school/boarding facility activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the school/boarding facility’s procedures for managing those risks is included with the Child Safeguarding Statement.
- The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the school/boarding facility’s website, gov.ie or will be made available on request by the school/boarding facility.
Note: The above is not intended as an exhaustive list. Individual boards of management/management authorities shall also include in this section such other procedures/measures that are of relevance to the school/boarding facility in question.
- This statement has been published on the school/boarding facility’s website and has been provided to all members of school/boarding facility personnel, the Parents’ Association (if any) 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/management authority on 18th September 2023.
This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the board of management/management authority on 18th September 2023.
Signed: ___Tommy Cormican_________________ Signed: __Mary O’Rourke___________________
Chairperson of Board of Management/ Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management/
Management Authority Management Authority
Date: 22/09/2023 __________________________ Date: ___22/09/2023____________
For information in respect of how the child safeguarding statement was developed or to request a copy of the statement, please contact the relevant person noted at the beginning of this child safeguarding statement
Phone: _090 6492569________________________________ or email: _____cloonakillaschool@gmail.com____________________________________
In accordance with section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 and with the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) the following is the Written Risk Assessment of Cloonakilla NS.
Cloonakilla NS: Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
Written Assessment of Risk of Cloonakilla NS
| 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 – |
| Daily Arrival – Dismissal of pupils Recreation Break One to One teaching One-on-one counselling School Tours/Outings School matches Overnight school trips Swimming Intimate Care (SEN) Use of Sensory Room Administration of Medicines/ First Aid Bullying Training of school staff in Child Protection Procedures Management of challenging behaviour among pupils under the school’s Code of Behaviour Use of I.T. devices photographing of children Distance Learning Use of mobile phones Use of external personal to support sports and other activities. Students participating in work experience in the school. Student teachers undertaking placement. After school use of school premises by other organisations. | Potential for harm at arrival dismissal times Potential for harm at recreation breaks from another child Risk of harm due to inadequate Code of Behaviour Risk of harm due to bullying Detention of pupils at breaktimes One-one-teaching Care of pupils with intimate care needs Administration of medicines/First Aid Risk from inadequate training of staff harm/abuse from school staff Risk of abuse by member of staff of another organisation while on school tour Risk of child being harmed by adult in swimming pool Care of pupils with SEN including intimate care needs Risk of harm by staff member or other children Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel Risk of physical and psychological harm due to bullying Risk of harm not being reported promptly and properly by school personnel to the DLP or DDLP Risk of harm to other pupils and staff Challenging behaviour among pupils Harm not being properly recognised and promptly reported by school personnel Risk of harm due to children inappropriately using IT devices including mobile phones in school Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel communicating with pupils in an inappropriate manner via social media, texting etc. Risk of harm caused by circulation of school photographs, video, or media events via social media by school personnel and parents/guardians Risk of harm due to inappropriate behaviour during Zoom call or sharing of meeting ID and password with outsiders Risk of harm due to staff members not checking for consent prior to a pupil profile being set up Risk of harm by not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel Risk of child being harmed in school by visitor to school/ contractors working on site | Arrival/Dismissal Procedure, Pre/After school supervision. Supervision times have been increased ( See Covid -19 Reopening Plan) Supervision policy, Anti-bullying Policy, Code of Behavior Policy. All incidents/accidents are reported and First Aid Procedures follow. Incident/Accident forms are filled out by teacher on duty as required. Open door policy, Glass in door, SEN Policy School tours Policy, Swimming Policy Accident/Injury Policy Training for designated staff members. Administration of medicines policy. Circulation of list of children with medical care needs First Aid administered by trained staff only SEN policy, Intimate Care Needs policy Sensory Room Policy Open door policy at all times Principal/Deputy Principal to check room at regular intervals Administration of medicines policy. Designated staff trained to administer medicines to children with care needs. First Aid administered by trained staff only. Refresher training to be provided for staff. Anti-bullying Policy, Implementation of Stay Safe Programme, RSE Programme & Buddy Programme Annual review of Child Protection Procedures Training for DLP & DDLP Vetting Procedures, All activities conducted under supervision of class teacher Stay Safe Programme Ensure certified training by all staff Supervision policy, Code of behaviour Policy SEN Policy & Exit Strategy for disruptive pupils Critical incident Management Policy. Glass in door. Open Door Policy Acceptable User Policy, Code of behaviour, Mobile Phone policy, Anti-bullying policy Distance Learning Policy Acceptable User Policy, Letters to parents A garda vetted teacher will always remain with class being conducted by outside personnel Visitors Policy & Garda Vetting Policy & Stay Safe Programme Visiting personnel must be garda vetted Individuals conducting after school activities must be vetted and have adequate insurance Certified Access to school only |
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 6th March 2018. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Signed ___Fr_John Deignan_________________________________ Date ___6th March 2018_____________
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed ___Mary O’Rourke__________________________________ Date __6th March 2018______________
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Reviewed on
Signed by ___Fr John Deignan_______________________________ Date ___25/03/2019__________________
Signed by ___Mary O’Rourke________________________________ Date ___25/03/2019__________________
Reviewed on
Signed by ___Fr John Deignan_______________________________ Date ___06/10/2020__________________
Signed by ___Mary O’Rourke________________________________ Date ___06/10/2020__________________
Reviewed on
Signed by ___Tommy Cormican_______________________________ Date ___18/09/2023__________________
Signed by ___Mary O’Rourke________________________________ Date ___18/09/2023__________________
| 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 (revised 2023) |
In undertaking this risk assessment, the board of management/management authority has endeavoured to identify as far as possible the risks of harm that are relevant to this school/boarding facility 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/boarding facility has in place the procedures listed in this risk assessment to manage and reduce risk to the greatest possible extent.
Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of the Child Safeguarding Statement
To: _____Cloonakilla NS Parents_____________________________
The Board of Management of Cloonakilla NS 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 18/09/2023.
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the gov.ie website
Signed _____Tommy Cormican ________________ Date ____18/09/2023____________
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed __Mary O’Rourke______________________ Date _18/09/2023_______________
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management