Mandatory Template 1: Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment Template
Child Safeguarding Statement
Dominican Primary 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 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of Dominican Primary School has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
1 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
2 The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is: Mr. Peter Mooney
3 The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is: Mrs. Caroline O’Donnell
4 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.
Principal: Peter Mooney
Clochar San Dominic 05600C
Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
5 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 DE 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 Department of Education and available on the DE 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 schools 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 and the Addendum to Children First (2019), 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 included with the Child Safeguarding Statement.
The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the school’s website, the DE website or will be made available on request by the school.
Principal: Peter Mooney
Clochar San Dominic 05600C
Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
6 This statement has been published on the school’s website and has been provided to all members of school 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.
7 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 23rd November 2021 This Child Safeguarding Statement was reviewed by the Board of Management on 9th March 2021 and 23rd November 2021.
Signed: Caoimhe Frain
Caoimhe Frain
Chairperson of Board of Management
Date: 9th May 2023
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
Signed: Peter Mooney Peter Money
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: 9th May 2023
Written Assessment of Risk of Dominican Primary School
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 2017, the following is the Written Risk Assessment of [name of school].
1. List of school activities –
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils
Recreation breaks for pupils
Classroom teaching
One–to–one teaching
One-to-one learning support
One–to–one counselling
Outdoor teaching activities
Online teaching and learning remotely
Sporting Activities
School outings
Use of toilet/changing/shower areas in schools
Annual Sports Day
Fundraising events involving pupils
Use of off-site facilities for school activities
School transport arrangements including use of bus escorts
Care of children with special educational needs, including intimate care
where needed,
Principal: Peter Mooney
Clochar San Dominic 05600C
Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
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Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required
Management of provision of food and drink
Administration of Medicine
Administration of First Aid
Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
Training of school personnel in child protection matters
Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum
Use of external personnel to support sports and other extra-curricular activities
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
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–
–
–
Children with medical needs
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
Participation by pupils in religious ceremonies/religious instruction external to the school
Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school, including social media
Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.
Students participating in work experience in the school Student teachers undertaking training placement in school Use of video/photography/other media to record school events After school use of school premises by other organisations Use of school premises by other organisation during school day Homework club and After School Clubs
Principal: Peter Mooney
Clochar San Dominic 05600C
Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel
Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child
Risk of child being harmed in the school by volunteer or visitor to the school Risk 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 lessons
Risk of harm due to inappropriate use of online remote teaching and learning communication platform such as an uninvited person accessing the lesson
link.
Risk of harm due to bullying of child
Risk of harm due to racism
Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in school
Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities
Risk 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 school
Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities, including medical vulnerabilities
Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care
Risk of harm due to inadequate code of behaviour
Risk of harm in one–to–one teaching, counselling, coaching situation
Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel communicating with pupils in an inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other manner
Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or other
manner
Principal: Peter Mooney
Clochar San Dominic 05600C
Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
3. 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 school’s 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 Children First Act 2015 and it’s Addendum (2019)
The school implements in full the Stay Safe Programme
The school implements in full 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
The school undertakes anti-racism awareness initiatives
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. (to be completed) The school has in place a policy and clear procedures in respect of school outings (to be completed)
The school has a Health and Safety Policy (being reviewed at present) The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation and relevant DE circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting
The school has a codes of conduct for school personnel (teaching and non- teaching staff)
The school complies with the agreed disciplinary procedures for teaching staff
The school has a Special Educational Needs Policy
The school has an Intimate Care Policy in respect of students who require such care
The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication to pupils
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
o Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
o Encourages board of management members to avail of relevant
training
o Maintains records of all staff and board member training
Principal: Peter Mooney Clochar San Dominic 05600C
Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of First Aid (to be completed)
The school has in place a Code of Behaviour for pupils
The school has an Acceptable Use Policy in place, to include provision for online teaching and learning remotely, and has communicated this policy to parents
The school has in place a policy governing the use of smart phones and tablet devices in the school by pupils as per circular 38/2018
The school has in place a Critical Incident Management Plan
Important Note: It should be noted that risk in the context of this risk assessment is the risk o “harm” as defined in the Children First Act 2015 and not general health and safety risk. Th 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.
Signed:
Carmine Frain
Dr. Caoimhe Frain
Chairperson of Board of Management
Date: 9th May 2023
Signed:
Peter Moure
Peter Mooney
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: 9th May 2023
Principal: Peter Mooney
Clochar San Dominic 05600C Deputy Principal: Caroline O’Donnell
