Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School

Child Protection Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment (2019)

This policy was reviewed by the Board of Management on 11^th February 2019.

Review due: March 2020

Child Safeguarding Statement of RMDS

RMDS 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 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 RMDS 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 Rosemarie Stynes.

• The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) is Paul Fairbrother.

• 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.

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 school personnel 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 personnel which are published on the DES website.

• In relation to the selection or recruitment of school personnel 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 school personnel in respect of the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act) the school -

• Has provided each member of school personnel with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Has provided all Extra Curricular providers with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Ensures all new school personnel are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Encourages school personnel to avail of relevant training
• Encourages Board of Management members to avail of relevant training
• The Board of Management maintains records of all school personnel 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 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.

• 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 reviewed by the Board of Management on 11^th February 2019.

Signed: Will Connor                                         Signed: Rosemarie Stynes

Chairperson of RMDS BOM                                        Principal/Secretary to RMDS BOM

Date:     11^th February 2019                                        Date:    11^th February 2019

Written Assessment of Risk of RMDS

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 RMDS.

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 as;

• “assault, ill-treatment or neglect of the child in a manner that seriously affects or is likely to seriously affect the child’s health, development or welfare, or
• sexual abuse of the child

Whether caused by a single act, omission or circumstance or a series or combination of acts, omissions or circumstances, or otherwise.”

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 was reviewed by the Board of Management on 11^th February 2019. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.

Signed: Will Connor                                         Signed: Rosemarie Stynes

Chairperson of RMDS BOM                                        Principal/Secretary to RMDS BOM

Date:     11^th February 2019                                        Date:    11^th February 2019