St Oliver Plunketts’ Primary School
Forkhill
Child Protection
Policy
2014-2015
Child Protection
We in St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, School Road, Forkhill have the
responsibility for the care, welfare and safety of the pupils in our charge.
We will carry out this duty through our pastoral care policy, which aims to
provide a caring, supportive and safe environment in which all our young
people can learn and develop to their full potential.
Safeguarding Team
Mrs Patricia McKenna – Designated Teacher for Child Protection
Mr Thurlough Hannaway –Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection
Mr Woods – Principal
Mrs Denise McCabe – Designated Governor for Child Protection
All our staff have been subject to the appropriate backgrounds checks.
Principles
The following principles underpin this policy:
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Children will be listened to and taken seriously.
In any incident the child’s welfare must always be paramount, this
overrides all other considerations.
A balance must be struck between protecting children and
respecting the rights and needs of parents and families; but where
there is conflict the child’s interest must always come first.
The aims of the Child Protection Policy are:
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To raise awareness of the issue of Child Protection amongst all who
work in our school (teachers, non teaching staff and volunteers).
To encourage the commitment of all staff to the duty of care
towards the children in our care.
To ensure that everyone who works in our school has clear guidance
on the action required where abuse or neglect of a child is
suspected.
Introduction
In writing this policy we take account of our responsibilities as
underpinned by the UN Convention. We acknowledge the legislative
framework of The Children (NI) Order 1995, DENI Circular 1999/10 and
the subsequent DENI Circulars 2003/13 and 2006/06-09 regarding
Pastoral Care and Child Protection. We understand the duty to cooperate with the authorities regarding child Protection matters.
Furthermore, this policy has been drawn up and agreed with all members
of staff and governors. It takes account of the legal requirements as
outlined in the recently introduced Special Education Need and Disability
Order (SENDO)
What is Child Abuse?
We use the following definition:
Neglect – the persistent or significant neglect of a child, or the failure to
protect a child from any kind of danger including cold or starvation, or
persistent failure to carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the
significant impairment of the child’s health or development.
Physical: physical injury whether deliberately inflicted to a child or
knowingly not prevented.
Sexual: the sexual exploitation of a child or young person for the adult’s
or another young person’s own sexual gratification; the involvement of
children or young people in sexual activities of any kind (including
exposure to pornography) which they do not understand, to which they
are unable to give informed consent or that violate normal family roles.
Emotional: persistent or significant emotional ill treatment or rejection,
which results in severe, adverse effects on the emotional, physical and/or
behavioural development of a child.
Bullying: a highly distressing form of ongoing deliberately hurtful
behaviour repeated over a period of time. Every staff member is vigilant
at all times regarding the possibility of bullying occurring.
“In School” Procedures
As a staff, committed to promoting the welfare of each child, we
understand the importance of:
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The role of the curriculum in exploring Child Protection matters.
Being alert to the possibility of abuse taking place.
Responding appropriately while maintaining confidentially.
The designated teacher for Child Protection is Mrs Patricia McKenna
in her absence deputy designated teacher, Mr Thurlough Hannaway
will assume responsibility for Child Protection matters.
When a Member of Staff Has a Concern about a Child In the School:
If a child makes a disclosure to a teacher or other member of staff
which gives rise to concerns about possible abuse, or if a member of staff
has a concern about a child, the member of staff must act promptly. No
guarantee of Confidentiality can be given to any child. Staff will
immediately refer their concerns to the designated Teacher and in her
absence the Deputy Designated teacher. Child Protection Procedures will
be carried out and possible outcomes may include:
. A written record will be made. Possible outcomes may include:
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UNOCINI – Referral form
Monitoring
Advice from Designated Officer for Child Protection SELB
Consultation with the CCMS’S Designated Officer
Consultation with Social Services, Dromalane House, Newry
No further action
Unless there are concerns that the parent may be the possible abuser,
the parents will be informed immediately.
The Preventative Curriculum
Throughout the school year child protection issues are addressed
through assemblies and class activities.
Relevant child protection
information is displayed in the resource area.
Code of Conduct for all Staff Paid or Unpaid
All actions concerning children and young people must uphold the best
interests of the young person as a primary consideration. Staff must
always be mindful of the fact that they hold a position of trust, and that
their behaviour towards the child and young people in their charge must
be above reproach.
The school’s code of conduct is available on request, and is also displayed
in the Staffroom & building supervisor’s store and main offices.
Allegations About a Member of School Staff
If a complaint about possible child abuse is made against a member of
staff, the Principal (or the designated teacher if he/she is not available)
must be informed immediately. The above procedures will apply unless
the complaint is about the designated teacher or principal. Where the
matter is referred to Social Services, the member of staff will be
removed from duties involving direct contact with pupils and may be
suspended from duty as a precautionary measure pending investigation by
Social Services. The Chairperson of the Board of Governors Mr Pat
Toner will be informed immediately. If there is a complaint about the
Principal the designated teacher or deputy designated teacher must be
informed immediately. He/she will inform the Chairperson of the Board
of Governors and together they will ensure that the necessary action is
taken.
Photography
Photographic images play a major part in recording children at work in the
new curriculum. Children are proud and delighted when they see their
images on display throughout the school and thoroughly enjoy looking back
over school photographs.
The school seeks permission from parents/guardians before their child
first enters the school to take photographic images.
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All photographic images taken of children must only be taken with
the school camera. Images must only be stored on the school’s
secure site.
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School activities during which monitored image recording may be
permissible are ……First Communion, Confirmation, School Sports,
School Concerts, School Drama, Classroom activities, Educational
Visits, and Educational programmes.
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Parents should be advised that whilst the practice of taking
photographs/moving images during liturgical services or concerts
by parents has been the norm, it should not or cannot be seen as
having been endorsed by school authorities.
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Children are not permitted to have any device with a camera in
school.
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Pupils will not be permitted to send images by computer unless with
the prior approval of the Class Teacher and in a supervised manner.
Intimate Care
The school has a designated Intimate Care Policy and follows routines in
relation to wet or other accidents. Parents are informed of these
procedures and asked to complete an Intimate Care Agreement before
children begin P1.
Confidentiality and record keeping
Records of all child protection concerns will be held safely and securely
within the school. Only the Principal, designated teacher and the deputy
designated teacher will have access to these files. It should be noted
that all information given to members of staff about possible child abuse
cannot be held “in confidence”. In the interest of a child, staff may need
to share the information with other professionals. However, only those
who need to know will be told.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Staff of St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School acknowledge the
importance of In service Training and Staff Development.
The
designated, deputy designated teachers and when necessary, other staff
members, will attend courses to help them deal effectively with any child
protection issues which may arise. Inset training for all members of
staff will also be arranged when necessary.
All staff, both teaching and non teaching is involved in reviewing and
updating the Child Protection Policy. Feedback from ongoing monitoring
will inform amendments. New ideas and strategies will be incorporated as
a result of feedback this policy is distributed to parents every two years.
The implementation of the child protection Policy will be monitored by
the principal and designated teachers for child protection. A report on
implementation will be provided annually to the Board of Governors. This
policy will be evaluated and reviewed every two years.
Conclusion
This Child Protection Policy forms part of the school’s overall Pastoral
Care Policy.
It links with the Anti-Bullying and Drugs Policies which promote the
welfare of the children in our care. It also links with our Internet Policy.
Furthermore, it links with the Discipline Policy in which the school
outlines the types of behaviour which are considered appropriate and
inappropriate, together with the sanctions which will be used as part of
the disciplinary process.
SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES
Disclosure/other concerns/suspicion
Contact Designated Teacher
Mrs P.McKenna
If not available contact the Deputy Designated Teacher
Mr. T. Hannaway
Establish pupil’s name, address, D.O.B.
Name of parent/guardian
Inform Principal
Mr Kevin Woods
Seek advice from SELB Designated officer and/or Duty Social Worker
Tele: 02830825000
Staff involved to make notes: Date, time facts such as observations,
Verbatim speech if possible
Designated teacher prepares confidential file, writes up report. Makes
written referral to social services if appropriate
Inform staff as necessary (NB. Need to know basis)
At all times refer to Dept. Ed. Child Protection procedures 1999/10
Pastoral Care in Schools Child Protection
Parents
What to do if you have a concern about a child
If I have a concern about my
child’s safety
I can talk to the class
teacher
If I am still concerned - I
can talk to the Teacher for
Child Protection. Mrs.
McKenna or the deputy
designated teacher Mr.
Hannaway
If I am still concerned I can
talk to the Principal. Mr
Kevin Woods
If I am still concerned - I
can talk/write to the
Chairperson of the Board of
Governors Mr Pat Toner
At any time I can talk to the
social worker.
Tele 02830 825000 or the
Police
Complaints Procedures
The designated teacher is the
Principal
It is about the Principal
Tell the designated teacher
Yes
No
Tell the Principal
Tell the Chairperson of
the Board of Governors
Tell the Principal
If a referral is necessary or if in doubt
remains:
Tell subject of
complaint:
Board/CCMS.
Complainant
Instigate disciplinary
proceedings
No-no
further
Action
Seek advice from
Board/CCMS/Social
Services
No but
disciplinary
action
Yes
Tell Social
Services/
Police,
Board/CCMS
Suspension to be done by
Principal (where not the
subject of complaint)
Tell complainant
Consider
Suspension as a
precaution/
Remove from
direct duties
Seek advice
from
Board/CCMS