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1. List of school activities
Assembly in school yard 8.40 am – 9.00am
Classroom-based learning activities 9.00am-10.30am
Playtime on school playground 10.30am-10.40am
Classroom-based learning activities 10.40am-12.00noon
Staff lunchtime cover 11.30am-12.00 noon
Playtime on school playground 12.00noon-12.30pm
Classroom-based learning activities 12.30pm-2.20pm
First Aid station throughout the day
Dismissal from premises 2.20pm – Collection by families and after-schools groups
Occassional visits on foot off-campus to local amenities – mostly suspended 2020 and 2021
Occasional visits by transport off-campus for educational outings – mostly suspended 2020 and 2021
Visitors to school for various purposes (HSE, NEPS, GAA …etc.) – mostly suspended 2020 and 2021
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities
Children First Act 2015 Part 1.2 “Harm” means in relation to a child, (a) 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 (b) sexual abuse of the child, whether caused by a single act, ommission or circumstance or a series or combination of acts, ommissions or circumstances, or otherwise” … “Neglect” means, in relation to a child, to deprive the child of adequate food, warmth, clothing, hygiene, supervision, safety or medical care;
08.40am … Risk of harm on school grounds due to accident or incidents,
risk of intruder onto premises, risk due to late arrival
09.00am … Risk of in-class harm, risk from interaction with adults
10.30am … Risk of harm at playtime, risk of intruder onto premises
10.40am … Risk of in-class harm, risk from interaction with adults
12noon … Risk of harm at playtime, risk of intruder onto premises
12.30pm … Risk of in-class harm, risk from interaction with adults
2.20pm … Risk of harm exiting playground due to accident or incidents,
risks from intruder, risks due to pupils not collected.
Throughout the day … All H&S risks to children, exposure to unsuitable ICT usage,
intimate careneeds risks, managing pupils with SEN/EBD/discipline outbursts, risks
administering First Aid, risks of older boys with younger boys, risks of bullying behaviours
at all age levels, risks from social media activities outside of school.
Risk of harm/accident/incident on occassional visits on foot off-campus to local ammenities
Risks of harm/accident/incident on occasional visits by transport off-campus for educational outings
Risks of harm caused by incidental visitors or by visitors on placements/courses/
HSCLT programmes
3. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment
08.40am … Principal and deputy principal supervise arrival,
staff collect classes promptly with procedures in place for safe late arrivals
09.00am … Staff professional code of practice implemented,
child protection CPD, Garda vetting for adults, ICT acceptable use policy
10.30am … Supervision roster, staff meeting CPD awareness of H&S, first aid available
10.40am … Staff professional code of practice implemented,
child protection CPD, Garda vetting for adults, ICT acceptable use policy
12noon … Supervision roster, staff meeting CPD awareness of H&S, first aid available
12.30pm … Staff professional code of practice implemented,
child protection CPD, Garda vetting for adults, ICT acceptable use policy
2.20pm … Principal and deputy principal supervise dismissal,
staff dismiss pupils with agreements in place for collection & dismissal and safe procedures in place for pupils not collected.
Notice is provided to families of off-campus campus activities, pupils receive clear instructions from staff, pupils are identifiable in school uniforms
Pre-planning to avert risk of harm/accident/incident on occassional visits on foot off-campus to local ammenities, staff meeting CPD, staff supervision of pupils, Garda vetting of those assisting
Pre-planning to avert risks of harm/accident/incident on occasional visits by transport off-campus for educational outings, staff meeting CPD, staff supervision of pupils, Garda vetting of those assisting
Staff supervision of incidental visitors, Garda vetting of visitors on placements/courses
Fire safety procedures in place, risk assessment policies for SEN/EBD/Discipline episodes
CCTV monitoring of premises and electronic locking of access doors
Use of Aladdin software to track attendance, absences, early dismissals, late arrivals …etc
School yard is zoned and safety procedures operational for injury, flight risks, intruders, anti-bullying, pupil toileting needs.
Car park and entrances are zoned and monitored for safe access and exit for pedestrians
First aid is administered at the first aid station, is recorded and is reported
CPD courses are provided for families in RSE, ICT, social media, anti-bullying, well-being … etc
Procedures and recording system for collection of sick pupils and dismissing early leavers
Procedures for 2 staff accompanying pupils off campus in exceptional circumstances
Principal (DLP) and deputy principal (DDLP) in place
Child Protection Safeguarding Notices posted publicly in school
Child protection policy is updated annually, displayed in all classrooms/offices
Board of Management reporting procedures operational and minuted
The Board operates the school in line with a number of approved policies whereby authority and responsibility is delegated to the principal: Positive discipline, anti-bullying, SPHE, SEN, …etc.
Avoiding potential neglect: School lunch deliveries for all pupils, heating system operational and well maintained, standard school uniforms, sanitary facilities operational with soap/towels provided, supervision rosters displayed and procedures operational, staff CDP in first aid and H&S..
In undertaking this risk assessment with staff during September 2021, 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. It is due for review in 2022.
Chairperson, Board of Management
Date: 01/09/2022
Scoil Fhursa, Cromcastle Green, Kilmore West, Dublin 5 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 Scoil Fhursa 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 Liam Ryan, Principal.
3 – The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Noreen Shortall, Deputy Principal.
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 person with a special vulnerability.
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 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 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 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 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 social media platform, the DES website or will be made available on request by the school.
Note: The above is not intended as an exhaustive list. Individual Boards of Management shall also include in this section such other procedures/measures that are of relevance to the school in question.
6 – This statement has been published on the school’s social media platform 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.
7 – This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in 2019, annually thereafter 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 revised in consultation with all school staff and by the Board of Management in September 2022.
The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 require the Board of Management must undertake a review of its Child Safeguarding Statement and that the following checklist shall be used for this purpose. The review must be completed every year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the Child Safeguarding Statement refers. Undertaking an annual review will also ensure that a school also meets its statutory obligation under section 11(8) of the Children First Act 2015, to review its Child Safeguarding Statement every two years.
The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list of the issues to be considered. Individual Boards of Management shall include other items in the checklist that are of relevance to the school in question. As part of the overall review process, Boards of Management should also assess relevant school policies, procedures, practices and activities vis a vis their adherence to the principles of best practice in child protection and welfare as set out in the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement, the Children First Act 2015 and the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017.
1. Has the Board formally adopted a Child Safeguarding Statement in accordance with the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’?
Yes
2. As part of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement, has the Board formally adopted, without modification, the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’’?
Yes
3. Does the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement include a written assessment of risk as required under the Children First Act 2015?
Yes
4. Has the Board reviewed and updated where necessary the written assessment of risk as part of this overall review?
Yes
5. Has the DLP attended available child protection training?
Yes
6. Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection training?
Yes
7. Have any members of the Board attended child protection training?
Yes
8. Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed?
Yes
9. Are the relevant contact details (Tusla and An Garda Síochána) to hand?
Yes
10. Has the Board arrangements in place to communicate the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement to new school personnel?
Yes
11. Is the Board satisfied that all school personnel have been made aware of their responsibilities under the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ and the Children First Act 2015?
Yes
12. Has the Board received a Principal’s Child Protection Oversight Report at each Board meeting held since the last review was undertaken?
Yes
13. Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any child protection reports made to Tusla/An Garda Síochána by the DLP?
Yes
14. Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any cases where the DLP sought advice from Tusla/and as a result of this advice, no report to the HSE was made?
Yes
15. Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any cases where an allegation of abuse or neglect was made against any member of school personnel?
No
16. Has the Board been provided with and reviewed all documents relevant to the Principal’s Child Protection Oversight Report?
Yes
17. Is the Board satisfied that the child protection procedures in relation to the making of reports to Tusla/An Garda Síochána were appropriately followed in each case reviewed?
Yes
18. Is the Board satisfied that, since the last review, all appropriate actions are being or have been taken in respect of any member of school personnel against whom an allegation of abuse or neglect has been made?*
N/A
19. Were child protection matters reported to the Board appropriately recorded in the Board minutes?
Yes
20. Is the Board satisfied that all records relating to child protection are appropriately filed and stored securely?
Yes
21. Has the Board been notified by any parent in relation to that parent not receiving the standard notification required under section 5.6 of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’
No
22. In relation to any cases identified at question 21 above, has the Board ensured that any notifications required section 5.6 of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ were subsequently issued by the DLP?
N/A
23. Has the Board ensured that the Parents’ Association (if any), has been provided with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?
N/A
24. Has the Board ensured that the patron has been provided with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?
Yes
25. Has the Board ensured that the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement is available to parents on request?
Yes
26. Has the Board ensured that the Stay Safe programme is implemented in full in the school? (applies to primary schools)
Yes
27. Has the Board ensured that the Wellbeing Programme for Junior Cycle students is implemented in full in the school? (applies to post- primary schools)
N/A
28. Has the Board ensured that the SPHE curriculum is implemented in full in the school?
Yes
29. Is the Board satisfied that the statutory requirements for Garda Vetting have been met in respect of all school personnel (employees and volunteers)? *
Yes
30. Is the Board satisfied that the Department’s requirements in relation to the provision of a child protection related statutory declaration and associated form of undertaking have been met in respect of persons appointed to teaching and non-teaching positions?*
Yes
31. Is the Board satisfied that, from a child protection perspective, thorough recruitment and selection procedures are applied by the school in relation to all school personnel (employees and volunteers)?*
Yes
32. Has the Board considered and addressed any complaints or suggestions for improvements regarding the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?
N/A
33. Has the Board sought the feedback of parents in relation to the school’s compliance with the requirements of the child safeguarding requirements of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’
Yes
34. Has the Board sought the feedback of pupils in relation to the school’s child safeguarding arrangements?
N/A
35. Is the Board satisfied that the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ are being fully and adequately implemented by the school?
Yes
36. Has the Board identified any aspects of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that require further improvement?
No
37. Has the Board put in place an action plan containing appropriate timelines to address those aspects of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that have been identified as requiring further improvement ?
Yes
38. Has the Board ensured that any areas for improvement that that were identified in any previous review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement have been adequately addressed?
Yes
To: The Secretary, c/o Child Safeguarding Statements, The Education Secretariat, Archbishop’s House, Dublin 9.
The Board of Management of Scoil Fhursa wishes to inform you that:
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed following consulatation with the staff and the Board of Management in March 2018.
• This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
The examples listed in this document are provided to assist schools in undertaking their risk assessment under the Children First Act, 2015. Schools should note that this list of examples is not intended to be exhaustive. It is the responsibility of each school to ensure, as far as possible, that any other risks and procedures that are relevant to its own particular circumstances are identified and specified in the written risk assessment and that adequate procedures are in place to address all risks identified.
It is acknowledged that schools already have in place a range of policies, practices and procedures to mitigate the risk of harm to children while they are participating in the activities of the school and that some school activities will carry low or minimal risks of harm compared to others. In the context of the risk assessment that must be undertaken by schools, the Children First Act, 2015 refers to risk as “any potential for harm”.
Therefore, it is important that, as part of its risk assessment process, each school lists and reviews all of its various activities (which shall include identifying those that may carry low risk of harm as well as those that carry higher risks of harm). Doing so will help the school to (1) identify, as required under the Children First Act, 2015, any risks of harm that may exist in respect of the school’s activities, (2) identify and assess the adequacy of the various procedures already in place to manage those risks of harm and (3) identify and put in place any such additional procedures as are considered necessary to manage any risk identified.
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.
• Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils
• Recreation breaks for pupils
• Classroom teaching
• One-to-one teaching
• One-to-one counselling
• Outdoor teaching activities
• 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,
• Care of any vulnerable pupils, including intimate care where needed
• Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required
• 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
• 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
• 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/SCP 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 bullying of child
• 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
• 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 appropriate 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
• 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
• 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 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 has in place a policy and clear procedures in respect of school outings
• The school has a Health and Safety policy
• 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 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/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
• The school –
o Has provided each member of school staff with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
o 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
• The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of First Aid – Revised 2020 and 2021 – HSE Covid-19 protocol
• The school has in place a code of behaviour for pupils
• The school has in place an ICT policy in respect of usage of ICT by pupils
• The school has in place a mobile phone policy in respect of usage of mobile phones by pupils
• The school has in place a Critical Incident Management Plan – Revised 2021
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• The school has in place a Home School Liaison policy and related procedures
• The school has in place a policy and procedures for the use of external persons to supplement delivery of the curriculum
• The school has in place a policy and procedures for the use of external sports coaches
• The school has in place a policy and clear procedures for one-to-one teaching activities
• The school has in place a policy and procedures for one-to-one counselling
• The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of student teacher placements
• The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of students undertaking work experience in the school
