Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

Written Assessment of Risk of Rathmichael National School

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 Rathmichael National School.

List of school activities

Daily arrival and dismissal of pupilsRecreation breaks for pupils Classroom teaching One-to-one teaching One-to-one counselling Outdoor teaching activities Sporting ActivitiesSchool outingsSchool trips involving overnight staySchool trips involving foreign travelUse of toilets in schoolsAnnual Sports DayFundraising events involving pupils Use of off-site facilities for school activities School transport arrangements including use of bus escortsCare of children with special educational needs, including intimate care where needed, Care of any vulnerable adult students, including intimate care where neededManagement of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where requiredAdministration of MedicineAdministration of First Aid Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay SafePrevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupilsTraining of school personnel in child protection mattersUse 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/migrantsMembers of the Traveller community Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) childrenPupils perceived to be LGBTPupils of minority religious faithsChildren in careChildren on CPNSRecruitment of school personnel including -Teachers/SNA’sCaretaker/Secretary/CleanersSports coachesExternal Tutors/Guest Speakers Volunteers/Parents in school activitiesVisitors/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 schoolUse of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in schoolApplication of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour Students participating in work experience in the schoolStudent teachers undertaking training placement in schoolUse of video/photography/other media to record school events After school use of school premises by other organisations Homework Club

The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –

Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnelRisk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnelRisk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel Risk of child being harmed in the school by another childRisk of child being harmed in the school by volunteer or visitor to the schoolRisk 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 schoolRisk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activitiesRisk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adultRisk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at schoolRisk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate careRisk of harm due to inadequate code of behaviourRisk of harm in one-to-one teaching, counselling, coaching situationRisk of harm caused by member of school personnel communicating with pupils in an inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other mannerRisk of harm caused by member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or other manner

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 StatementThe 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 curriculumThe school has an Anti-Bullying Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the Department’s Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary SchoolsThe 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.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 code 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 policyThe school has an intimate care policy/plan in respect of students who require such careThe school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication to pupilsThe 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 Encourages staff to avail of relevant training Encourages board of management members to avail of relevant trainingMaintains records of all staff and board member training Ensures it is an agenda item at meetings.The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of First Aid The school has in place a code of behaviour for pupilsThe school has in place an ICT policy in respect of usage of ICT by pupilsThe school has in place a mobile phone policy in respect of usage of mobile phones by pupilsThe school has in place a Critical Incident Management PlanThe school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of student teacher placements and work experience.

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

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 ……… [date]. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.

Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________

Chairperson, Board of Management

Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________

Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management

Child Safeguarding Statement

Rathmichael 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 Rathmichael School has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

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

The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is ______________Caroline Senior_________________

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is________Katie Fox___________________

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.

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 above named 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 website, the DES website or will be made available on request by the school.

This statement has been published on the school’s website and has been provided to all members of school personnel, the Parent Teacher 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.

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 _________________ [date].

Signed: _________________________ Signed: ____________________________

Chairperson of Board of Management Principal

Date: __________________________ Date: ___________________