Scoil Aislinn Safe Guarding Statement
Scoil Aislinn is a Special School for children with Autism and Complex Needs. Scoil Aislinn provides primary education to students who have a diagnosis of Autism with accompanying complex needs.
In accordance with the requirements of the Children First AIS Act 2015, children First National Guidance for the Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of Scoil Aislinn 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) if Geraldine Prendeville
- The Deputy Designated Liaison Person ( Deputy DLP) is Yolanda Van Wijnen
- 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 principals of best practise 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 Childrens 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 practise of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children and
- Fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matter
The school 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 (how so ever 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 I 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 schools 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 above named DLP as the “relevant person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the 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 this statement.
- 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 provided to all members of school personnel 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 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 _____________________( date)
Signed : Catherine Field Signed : Geraldine Prendeville
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal /Secretary to the Board of Management.
Date 18th/04th/2018 Date 18th/04th/2018
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
Written Assessment of Risk of Scoil Aislinn
In accordance with section 11 of the Childrens 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 RiskAssessment of Scoil Aislinn.
- List of school activities
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupilsRecreation Breaks for pupilsClassroom teachingOne to one teaching/supervisionOutdoor teaching activitiesSporting ActivitiesUse of toilet /changing /shower areas in schoolAnnual Sports DayFundraising events involving pupilsUse of off- site facilities for school activitiesSchool transport arrangements including use of bus escortCare of children, including intimate care where needed.Care of any vulnerable adult students, including intimate care where neededManagement of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate us of restraint where requiredProvision of Multi-Disciplinary Support in the schoolAdministration of Medicine/Nurse/EmergencyAdministration of First AidCurricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay SafePrevention and dealing with bulling amongst pupilsTraining of school personnel in child protection mattersUse of external personnel to supplement curriculumUse of external personnel to support sports and other extra- curricular activitiesCare 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 Recruitment of school personnel including –Teachers / SNA’s Caretaker/ SecretarySports CoachesExternal Tutors / Guest SpeakersVolunteers/ Parents in school activitiesVisitors/contractors present in school during school hoursVisitors/contractors present after school activitiesParticipation by pupils in religious ceremonies/ religious instruction external to the schoolUse of information and Communication Technology by pupils in schoolApplication of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etcStudents from colleges and universities undertaking placement in schoolUse of video/photography /other media to record school eventsUse of images on School Blog/around school in other publications |
- The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities
Risk of harm not being recognised by the school personnelRisk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnelRisk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnelRisk of child being harmed in the school by another childRisk of child being harmed in the school by volunteer or visitor to the schoolRisk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participating in out of school activities e.g. school trip, swimming lessonsRisk of harm due to bullying of childRisk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in schoolRisk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activitiesRisk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing / using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at schoolRisk of harm top children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilitiesRisk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate careRisk of harm due to inadequate code of behaviour Risk of harm in one –to – one teaching, supervisory, coaching situationRisk of harm caused by member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device of other manner |
- The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment-
All school personnel are provided with a copy of the schools Child Safeguarding Statement.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 Childrens First Act 2015The school implements in full the Stay Safe ProgrammeThe school implements in full the SPHE curriculumThe 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 The school has a yard/playground supervision policy to ensure appropriate supervision of children during, assembly, dismissal and breaks and in respect of specific areas such as toilets, changing rooms etc.The school as in place a policy and clear procedures in respect of school outingsThe school has a Health and Safety Statement The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation and relevant DES circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting The school has a code of conduct for school personnel (teaching and non –teaching staff)The school complies with the agreed disciplinary for teaching staff.The school as has an intimate care policy/plan in respect of students who require such care.The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication to pupils.Personnel attend relevant courses for the administration of certain emergency medication. Staff also attend courses to upskill in specific procedures relevant to a particular medical need.The school-Has provided each member of school 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.Encourage staff to avail of relevant trainingEncourages board of management members to avail of relevant training.Maintains records of all staff and Board member training The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of First Aid.The school has in place a code of behaviour for pupilsThe school has in place an ICT policy in respect of usage of ICT by pupilsThe school has in place a mobile phone policy in respect of usage of mobile phonesThe school has in place a Draft Critical Incident Management PlanThe school as in place a policy and procedures for the use of external persons to supplement delivery of the curriculumThe school has in place clear procedures for one- to- one teaching activitiesThe school has in place procedures for one- to –one supervisionThe school has in place a Policy and procedures in respect of student placementAll permanent staff are MAPA trained.Permission for photo on website |
Important Note: It should be noted that risk in this 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 risks 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……..( date) it shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Signed________________________________________ Date______________________
Chairperson Board of Management
Signed________________________________________Date________________________
Principal Secretary to the Board of Management.