O’CONNELL SECONDARY SCHOOL

NORTH RICHMOND STREET

DUBLIN 1

ROLL NUMBER: 6044OR

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Updated & Revised: January 26th 2015

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY OF O’CONNELL SECONDARY SCHOOL

The Principal & Board of Management of O’Connell Secondary School 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 Principal & Board of Management of O’Connell Secondary School has agreed the following child protection policy:

1.The Principal & Board of Management of O’Connell Secondary School 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) of O’Connell Secondary School is Mr Gerry Duffy, the School Principal.
3.The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) of O’Connell Secondary School is Mr Dermot Morris, the school’s Deputy-Principal.
4.In its policies, practices and activities, O’Connell Secondary 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 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 need/vulnerability.

5. School policies, practices and activities that are particularly relevant to child protection are: the Code of Behaviour; Anti-bullying Policy; Classroom Rules; School Regulations and Guidelines and Code of Behaviour for Staff/Workers.

The Principal & Board of Management has ensured that the necessary policies, protocols or practices as appropriate are in place in respect of each of the above listed items.

6. This policy has been made available to school personnel and members of the school’s Board of Management 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 Principal & Board & Staff once in every school year.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION, CONTEXT AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 4

CONFIDENTIALITY AND QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE 7

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL VULNERABILITIES 7

DESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON 8

POLICY 8

TEACHING STAFF-PUPIL CONTACT 9

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL 10

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BYDESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON 10

RECORD-KEEPING 10

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES 11

EXCURSIONS/TRIPS AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL 11

ALLEGATIONS OR SUSPICIONS OF CHILD ABUSE 11

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED 12

PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUSTICE 13

APPENDIX 1: DEFINITIONS OF CHILD ABUSE 14

APPENDIX 2: STANDARD REPORTING FORM

INTRODUCTION, CONTEXT AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

All pupils in O’Connell Secondary School have a right to be educated in a secure and safe environment. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust in Ireland embraces this right and is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the protection of children and young people. This Child Protection Strategy for O’Connell Secondary School must be read in conjunction with the Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011 and Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, as published by the Department of Education and Science, 2004, which gives guidelines and procedures for dealing with concerns and allegations of child abuse. The Department of Education guidelines also give further information in relation to:

• the relevant legal framework;

• definition and recognition of child abuse;

• responsibilities of school personnel.

“Child protection is an issue of fundamental concern to all those who deal with children and young people throughout the educational sector” (Mary Hanafin, T.D., Minister for Education and Science, September 2004).

This summary policy document for O’Connell Secondary School is drawn up having considered the relevant section(s) within the context of the following legal framework:

  • The Child Care Act, 1991.
  • The Domestic Violence Act, 1996.
  • The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
  • The Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003.
  • The Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998.
  • The Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003.
  • The Education Act, 1998.
  • The Education and Welfare Act, 2000.
  • The Children’s Act, 2001.
  • The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011
  • Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, as published by the Department of Education and Science, 2004

The policy complies with the relevant recommendations and guidelines contained in the following publications:

  1. Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children: Department of Health and Children (September 1999)
  2. Working with Children and Young People in the Catholic Church Community in Ireland – Good Practice Guidelines: Committee on Child Protection of the Irish Catholic Bishops (Conference July 2003)
  3. Child Protection Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools: Department of Education and Science (September 2004)
  4. Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011
  5. Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, as published by the Department of Education and Science, 2004

O’Connell Secondary School strives to educate students according to the best traditions and highest standards of Christian Brother schooling. Inspired by the vision, pioneering spirit and values of our founder, Blessed Edmund Rice, the school “constantly aims torespond to the intellectual, spiritual, moral and social needs of all the young people under our care” (Mission Statement 2004).

The school has witnessed a perceptible change in the social and economic profile of its pupil intake. The vast majority of pupils reside within a half-mile radius of the school. This area has a high density of disadvantaged families, many of whom are socially alienated and marginalised in some way. Many pupils come to the school from homes where a number of the aforementioned factors combine to make their adaptation to, and engagement in school, extremely difficult.In addition, approximately one half of the current (2012-13) student population in O’Connell Secondary School is composed of foreign nationals who have settled in Ireland over the past five years. These pupils, many of whom are often classified as unaccompanied minors, are mainly from countries in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

It is the responsibility of all within the O’Connell Secondary School community to respect the dignity and rights of all students and to work together to ensure their safety and well-being. It is within this context that the school’s formal policy regarding contact between all staff and students has been framed.

This policy seeks to take into account the unique and special characteristics of the school which islocatedin an area of Dublin’s inner city designated as disadvantaged. The school’s specialcircumstances thereby give added impetus to the role of the teaching staff in acting in loco parentis. All staff in O’Connell Secondary School must act in a manner appropriate to this responsible role. The benchmark of how good and responsible parents/guardians behave towards their children is the benchmark set in carrying out this particular policy.

The principles which underpin this policyfor O’Connell Secondary School include the following:

  • The welfare of the student is of paramount importance
  • O’Connell Secondary School will strive to maintain a balance between protecting students and respecting the rights and needs of parents/guardians and families
  • In considering the eight core characteristics of Christian Brother education, O’Connell Secondary School shall strive to create and maintain good relationships between all members of the school community. In this regard, it is imperative to note that students have a right to be heard, to be respected and to be taken seriously. Staff have a responsibility to listen to their concerns. Bearing in mind their age and levels of understanding, they will be consulted and involved in matters and decisions which may affect their lives insofar as this is practicable
  • Parents/Guardians have a right to be respected and will be consulted and involved in matters which concern their family
  • Any actions taken to protect a student, including academic assessment, ought not to cause the student unnecessary distress. Every action and procedure will consider the overall needs of the student
  • Intervention, if required, will not deal with the student in isolation; the student will be seen in a family setting
  • The criminal dimension of any alleged action will not be ignored
  • Effective prevention, detection and treatment of alleged child abuse or neglect (see Appendix 1) requires O’Connell Secondary School to co-operate with all agencies and bodies concerned with the protection and welfare of students
  • Staff members require and shall receive child protection training and this will include clarification of responsibilities
  • The school will endeavour to hold an annual week long course (Friendship Week) for students encompassing elements of child protection issues as outlined in the “Cool School Programme/Anti-Bullying”

CONFIDENTIALITY AND QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE

O’Connell Secondary School shall fully comply with the issue of confidentiality as outlined in the 2004 Child Protection Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools. All information regarding concerns of possible child abuse (see definitions in Appendix 1) should only be shared on a “need to know” basis in the interests of the child. The test is indeed whether or not the person has any legitimate involvement or role in dealing with the abuse. Giving information to those who need to have that information, for the protection of a child who may have been abused, or is being abused, or is at risk of abuse (neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, peer abuse and bullying), is not a breach of confidentiality.

The school’s Designated Liaison Person (D.L.A.) (see page 8 of this policy document) who is submitting a report to the health board or An Garda Siochana should inform a parent/carer/guardian unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place the child at further risk. A record should be made of the information communicated to the parent/carer/guardian.

It is notthe responsibility of school personnel to investigate or to make enquiries of parents/carers/guardians. It is a matter for the appropriate health board (Eastern Regional Health Authority – Northern Area Health Board) to investigate suspected abuse and determine what action to take, including informing An Garda Siochana.

The situation in relation to common law qualified privilege arises where the person making the communication has a duty to do so, or a right, or interest to protect the child and where the communication is made to a person with a similar duty, right or interest. The person making the report, acting in loco parentis, would be expected to act in the child’s best interests and in making the report would be regarded as acting in such a manner.

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL VULNERABILITIES

Certain children are more vulnerable to abuse than others. These include children who are separated from their parents or other family members and who depend on others for their care and protection. Approximately one half of the current (2012-13) student populationin O’Connell Secondary School is composed of foreign nationals who have settled in Ireland over the past five years. These pupils, many of whom are often classified as unaccompanied minors, are mainly from countries in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

DESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON (D.L.P.)

The Board of Management of O’Connell Secondary School shall designate the School Principal as the Designated Liaison Person for the school. He will act as a liaison with outside agencies and as a resource person to any staff member or volunteer who has child protection issues of concern. The D.L.A. will act for the school in all dealings with health boards, An Garda Siochana and other parties, in connection with allegations of and/or concerns about child abuse.

There may be occasions in O’Connell Secondary School when the D.L.A. is unavailable. In such a situation, the school has arranged that Mr Dermot Morris, the school’s Deputy-Principal shall be put in place as his nominated replacement and shall assume his responsibilities.

The D.L.P. (or his nominated replacement) will make it a priority to inform the Board of Management that a report involving a student in the school has been submitted to the relevant health board. In the interest of protecting the anonymity of the child, nodetails of the report should be disclosed by the Board of Management.

POLICY

O’Connell Secondary School is committed to:

  • Providing a safe environment for students
  • Minimising risks in order to safeguard the interests of students
  • Supporting all victims of abuse
  • Ensuring that all alleged offenders become accountable for their actions
  • Working closely with the statutory authorities to ensure that all allegations of abuse are dealt with justly and promptly

The School will try to ensure that no action or omission on its part would be detrimental to the welfare of its students. It is the policy of the school to facilitate students to develop self-esteem, confidence, independence of thought and the necessary skills to cope with possible threats to their personal safety both within and outside the school.

The School aims to treat all students with equal care and respect and without favouritism or discrimination of any kind.

A member of staff will be careful not to spend a disproportionate amount of time with an individual student or any particular group.

Staff members should neither personally engage in nor tolerate any behaviour which could be construed as bullying, whether of students or of any other person.

The management of the School shall endeavour to ensure that all members of the Board of Management, school management, teaching staff, ancillary staff and all other school employees shall receive awareness training in child protection issues.

TEACHING STAFF-PUPIL CONTACT

The physicalintegrity of the students shall be respected at all times. Staff members may not engage in inappropriate physical contact of any kind – including rough play, physical reprimand and horseplay (e.g. tickling, wrestling etc.).

Apart from the interactions which are proper to school life in the school environs and which constitute its very essence, members of staff will prudently avoid situations in which they are alone with students in rooms or areas where there is no window to a ‘public’ place or where others do not frequent or where changing facilities are used by staff and students. If a private conversation is required, it might be prudent to inform a colleague about this requirement. Rooms where personal interviews or conversations take place should never be locked or made inaccessible to others.

The dictates of prudence will also be observed where, in the course of exercising responsibilities and duty of care, staff members have occasion to speak to students on a one-to-one basis. As far as possible and to the extent that is appropriate, doors should be left ajar or a colleague made aware of the course of action being followed.

Members of staff should not be alone with students in the ‘non-public’ areas of school, even when exercising their duty of care. Prudence should also be exercised where staff members are involved in transporting students or in leading trips from the school which involve students. Staff members will avoid being alone with individual students in these circumstances, unless the situation clearly requires it and a colleague has been informed. For example, if a staff member is required to transport a student in their car (e.g. to a sporting fixture), it would be prudent to transport the student in the rear seat and to inform his/her parents in advance about the transport arrangement.

When dealing with students in groups, it may be necessary to visit changing rooms, showers and lavatories when exercising the duty of care. However adults will act with due sensitivity and prudence and appropriate good behaviour in such circumstances. In particular, situations where a member of staff might be alone with a student in these areas are to be avoided.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL

If a member of staff in O’Connell Secondary School receives an allegation or has a suspicion that a student may have been abused, or is being abused, or is at risk of abuse, he/she should, without delay, report the matter to the appointed Designated Liaison Person in O’Connell Secondary School. A written record of the report should be made and placed in a secure location by the school’s Designated Liaison Person. It must be stressed that the need for confidentialityshould be borne in mind. The appropriate supports of the school will continue to be made available to the child.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BYDESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON

If the Designated Liaison Person is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the suspicion or allegation, he/she should report the matter to the relevant health board immediately. It is recommended that all reports should include as much as possible of the information sought in the Standard Reporting Form as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Child Protection Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools: Department of Education and Science (September 2004) – Appendix 2 of this document. If a report is made by phone, this form, duly completed, should subsequently be forwarded to the relevant health board.

RECORD-KEEPING

When abuse is suspected, it is imperative to have a written record of all the information available. Staff should carefully note the following: