Child Protection Policy Child Protection Policy of St Aidan’s SNS 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, practices and activities. Accordingly, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools, the Board of Management of St Aidan’s SNS has agreed the following child protection policy: 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 as part of this overall child protection policy. 2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Tomás Hayes 3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Una Clingan 4. In its policies, practices and activities, St Aidan’s 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 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. 5. The Board has ensured that the necessary policies, protocols or practices as appropriate are in place in respect of each of the listed items in our Child Protection Procedures 6. This policy has been made available to school personnel and the Parents’ Association and is readily accessible to parents on request. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and the patron if requested. 7. This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year. This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on _________________ Signed: _________________________ Signed: __________________________ Chairperson of Board of Management Principal Date: __________________________ Date: __________________________ Date of next review: Oct 2022 Child Protection Guidelines Checklist for School Staff members. Designated Liaison Person: Tomás Hayes Deputy Designated Liaison Person: Una Clingan If a child discloses information to you:- ? Listen ? Do not ask leading questions ? Offer reassurance but do not promise not to tell ? Explain that other adults may need to be told - DLP ? Do not stop the child speaking ? Do not over react or comment ? Inform DLP - If you have a reasonable suspicion or reasonable grounds for concern that a child is at risk or has suffered abuse, the DLP should contact the Health Board for advice ? At the earliest opportunity, record accurately what the child has said – Using the child’s own words. Record date/time and context of the disclosure. Use child’s registration number – Not child’s name ? Facts only ? Sketch signs of physical injury if appropriate ? Retain records for a period of 21 years in keeping with the school’s Record Keeping Policy The following should also be reported to the DLP: ? An account from a person who saw a child being abused ? Injury consistent with abuse ? Dysfunctional behaviour ? Implausible explanations for injury or behaviour ? Consistent evidence over a period of time that a child is being emotionally or physically neglected Health Board Response: ? School is asked to monitor the situation ? Formal report is requested , sent by DLP and on receipt case is allocated to Social Worker ? Preliminary enquiry – Screening process ? Initial assessment Possible outcomes: ? Case closed ? Family support ? Child Protection Plan (usually following a case conference)