Child Protection
Child Safeguarding Statement
Written Assessment of Risk of Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Dublin 3
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 Mount Temple Comprehensive School Malahide Road Dublin 3.
- List of school activities
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- The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
an inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other manner
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- The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment–
The school has provided each member of school staff with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding statement
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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 has been completed by the Board of Management on 20th February 2018. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement in Autumn 2018.
Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Mount Temple Comprehensive School is a Post-Primary School providing Post-Primary education to pupils from First Year to Leaving Certificate Year.
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 Mount Temple Comprehensive School has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
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The Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
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The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mr Liam Wegimont
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The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLPs) are Ms Helen Gormley and Ms Mary Byrne
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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:
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recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations;
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fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children;
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fully co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters
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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;
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develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children; and
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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.
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The following procedures/measures are in place:
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All staff, volunteers, and new members of the school community are introduced to the Mount Temple Learning Policy, which includes clear statements of the values to which the school adheres, including values around respect, tolerance, inclusion and celebration of diversity.
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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.
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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.
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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-
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Has provided each member of staff with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
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Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement
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Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
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Encourages Board of Management members to avail of relevant training
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The Board of Management maintains records of all staff and Board member training
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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.
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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.
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All registered teachers employed by the school are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 20th February 2018
Signed: _________________________ Signed: ____________________________
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: __________________________ Date: __________________ _
Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement – FOR REVIEW AUTUMN 2018
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.
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Signed & Dated: _________________________ Signed & Dated: ____________________________
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of the Child Safeguarding Statement
To:_____________________________________
The Board of Management of ____________________ wishes to inform you that:
• The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of _______________ [date].
• 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
Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
