Scoil Chill Ru a d h i n

Brooklodge National School, Glanmire, Co Cork,

Tel: 021-4866044, Fax: 021-4866051, e-mail: [email protected], Website:
www.brooklodgens.com

Child Protection Policy

This document was compiled as a response to recent changes in legislation and takes account
of the provisions of each of the following pieces of legislation .This policy further develops
previous policy in this area and takes the following into account

Freedom of Information Act 1997 & 2003

The Education Act 1998
The Child Welfare Act 2000
The Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 2003
Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011.

The procedures are based on the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and
Welfare of Children 2011.

References
Children First (Department of Health and Children 1999)
Our Children Our Church (CORI 2005)
Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures (Department of Education and
Science 2001)
Policy Sources accessed through Internet

The Board of Management (BoM) of Scoil Chill Ruadhin Brooklodge recognises that child
protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all
of the schools 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 BoM of this school has agreed the following child protection policy.

The BoM has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Departments
Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools as part of this overall
child protection policy.

The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Ursula Hedderman, Principal

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Clare O'Connor, Deputy Principal .

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In its policies, practices and activities, Scoil Chill Ruadhin Brooklodge 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
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

Certain policies of Scoil Chill Ruadhin, Brooklodge, such as the Code of Behaviour/Anti-
bullying Policy, the Pupil Attendance Policy and the Supervision of Pupils Policy will take
particular account of this Child Protection Policy. This policy will also be considered with
reference to the participation by pupils in sporting activities, other extra-curricular activities
and school outings. Other practices and activities, where child protection might have
particular relevance, will take due consideration of the procedures outlined within this policy.
The Board has ensured that the necessary policies, protocols or practices as appropriate are in
place in respect of each of the above listed items.

This policy has been made available to school personnel and the Parent Association and is
readily accessible to parents on request. A copy of this policy will be made available to the
DES and the patron if requested.

Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

Ursula Hedderman, the Principal, appointed by the BoM, is the DLP. Clare O'Connor, the
Deputy Principal, appointed by the BoM, acts as Deputy DLP. Both teachers will undertake
training from the Child Abuse Prevention Programme at the earliest opportunity. Training
will be regularly made available to the whole school community (staff, parents and Boards of
Management) on the Stay Safe Programme.

The DLP has specific responsibility for child protection and will represent the school in all
correspondence with HSE, An Garda Siochana and other parties in connection with
allegations of abuse. All matters pertaining to the processing or investigation of child abuse
should be processed through the DLP.

Further information on the responsibilities of the DLP can be referred to on page 8, section
2.2 of Child Protection (DES 2001).

The DLP acts in cases where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion or where an
allegation has been made, as referred to in Child Protection (DES 2001, pages 11-12).

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The Role of the Board of Management

The most important consideration to be taken into account by the Board of Management is
the protection of children, and their safety and well-being must be a priority. However,
because of the involvement of school employees, the BoM has duties in respect of them as
well.

As employers, the Board of Management notes that legal advice should always be sought in
these cases.

There are two procedures to be followed:

The reporting procedure in respect of the allegation
The procedures for dealing with the employee

In the case of primary schools, the DLP is responsible for reporting the matter to the
appropriate HSE, while the Chairperson of the BoM, acting in consultation with his/her
Board, is responsible for addressing the employment issues. However, where the allegation
of abuse is against the DLP, the Chairperson of the BoM will assume responsibility for
reporting the matter to the HSE.

The primary aim of the BoM is to protect the children within the school to whom they have a
duty of care. However, school employees may be subject to erroneous or malicious
allegations and therefore any threat of abuse should be dealt with sensitively, and the
employee fairly treated.

Role of Staff Member (teachers, caretaker, SNAs secretary)

It is the role of all staff members to be observant of all pupils in their care and to report any
suspicion of abuse or disclosure immediately to the DLP or in her absence, the Deputy DLP

When recording any information in writing, it is vital that this is totally factual and quotes the
child exactly

It is also a requirement that all matters pertaining to suspicions of abuse or actual abuse be
treated with the strictest confidence. The child must only be identified by their number on the
school register

Confidentiality
All information regarding concerns of possible child abuse should only be shared on a need
to know basis in the interests of the child. The giving of information to those who need to
have that information is not a breach of confidentiality. This procedure exists for the
protection of a child who may have been or has been abused. The DLP who is submitting a
report to the HSE or An Garda Siochna should inform a parent/guardian, unless doing so is
likely to endanger the child or place that child at further risk. A decision not to inform a
parent/guardian should be briefly recorded together with the reasons for not doing so.

In emergency situations, where the HSE cannot be contacted, and the child appears to be at
immediate and serious risk, An Garda Siochna should be contacted immediately. A child
should not be left in a dangerous situation pending HSE intervention.

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Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse
The protection for persons reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 provides immunity from civil
liability to any person who reports child abuse reasonably and in good faith to designated
officers of HSEs or any member of an Garda Siochna, see Child Protection (DES 2001,
page 6).

Qualified Privilege
People making a report to the DLP in good faith have qualified privilege under common
law, see Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures (DES 2001, page 6). Reports made to
HSEs may be subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. This act enables
members of the public to obtain access to personal information relating to them which is in
the possession of public bodies. However, the act also provides that public bodies may refuse
access to information obtained by them in confidence.

Definition and Recognition of Child Abuse

Child abuse can be categorised into four different types:
Neglect
Emotional abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse

Each of these categories is defined in full in Children First (Dept Health and Children 1999,
pages 31-33) but for the purpose of this policy attention is drawn to the stated definition of
neglect.

Neglect can be defined in terms of an omission, where the child suffers significant harm or
impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene,
intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults,
medical care.

Guidelines for Recognition of Child Abuse

A list of child abuse indicators is contained in Appendix 1 Children First (DHC 1999, pages
31-33). This policy draws particular attention to persistent evidence of neglect, including
indicators such as no lunch, lack of uniform, no homework, poor attendance, persistent health
problems, lack of sleep indicating inappropriate television viewing late at night and other
evidence that would indicate lack of supervision in the home. All signs and symptoms must
be examined in the total context of the childs situation and family circumstances.

There are commonly three stages in the identification of child abuse:

1. Considering the possibility
2. Looking out for signs of abuse
3. Recording of information

Each of these stages is developed in Children First (DHC 1999, pages 34-35).

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Handling Disclosures from Children
Child Protection (DES 2001, page 9) gives comprehensive details of how disclosures should
be approached. Staffs are advised to deal with each situation sensitively, reassure the child
but not to make promises that cannot be fulfilled.

The adult should not ask leading questions or make suggestions. They should explain that
further help may have to be sought. The discussion should then be recorded accurately.

The record should include reference to what was observed with sketches of physical injury
where necessary. It should also record when the alleged incident took place. Records should
be kept in a secure place. The information should then be conveyed to the school DLP.

If the reporting person and the DLP are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the
suspicion/allegation, the procedures outlined in Children First (DHC, page 38) will be
adhered to. Standardised reporting forms should be used (Appendix B). The content of the
report should follow the guidelines on page 39 of Children First. The Chairperson of the
BoM will be informed before the DLP makes contact with the relevant authorities.

Allegations or Suspicions in relation to School Employees

The Chairperson and the DLP are primarily concerned with the protection of the children in
their care. However, employees must be protected against false and malicious claims.
Legal Advice should be sought by the board in relation to the employee. If the allegation is
against the DLP, the BoM Chairperson will assume the responsibility for reporting the matter
to the HSE.

Reporting
When an allegation of abuse is made against a school employee, the DLP should act in
accordance with the procedures outlined in Child Protection (DES 2001, page 11). A
written statement of the allegation should be sought from the person/agency making the
report. A parent/guardian may make a statement on behalf of a child. The DLP should always
inform the Chairperson of the BoM.

School employees, other than the DLP, who receive allegations against another school
employee, should immediately report the matter to the DLP. School employees who form
suspicions regarding conduct of another school employee should consult with the DLP. The
procedures outlined in Child Protection (DES 2001, page 16) should be referred to.

The Chairperson and the DLP should make the employee aware privately:

a. That an allegation has been made against him/her

b. Of the nature of the allegation
c. Whether or not the HSE or Garda has been informed.

The employee should be given a copy of the written allegation and any other relevant
documentation. The employee should be requested to respond to the allegation in writing to
the BoM within a specified period and told that this may be passed to the Garda, HSE and
legal advisers.

The Chairperson must take the necessary steps to protect the child and may consult the BoM
in this matter. The BoM may direct that the employee take administrative leave with pay and

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avoid suspension, thus removing any implication of guilt. The DES should be immediately
informed.

Further follow-up procedures should be observed as outlined in Child Protection Guidelines

and Procedures (page 17).

School Measures Taken to Protect the Children in Our Care

There are a number of areas where common sense in our school should prevail in order to
protect the children in the school and the staff who care for them. In relation to this, certain
points should be noted:

Scoil Chill Ruadhin Broklodge will fully implement the Stay Safe programme

A copy of the schools child protection policy, which includes the names of the
Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy DLP, will be made available to all
school personnel and the Parents Association and is readily accessible to parents on
request

.The name of the DLP and other relevant support services are displayed in a
prominent position near the main entrance to the school

In addition to informing the school authority of those cases where a report involving a
child in the school has been submitted to the HSE, the DLP shall also inform the
school authority of cases where the DLP sought advice from the HSE and as a result
of this advice, no report was made. At each BoM meeting, the Principals Report shall
include the number of all such cases and this shall be recorded in the minutes of the
board meeting.

Scoil Chill Ruadhin Brooklodge will undertake an annual review of its Child
Protection Policy and its implementation by the school. A checklist, to be used in
undertaking the review (included at Appendix 1). The Board of Management shall
make arrangements to inform school personnel that the review has been undertaken.
Written notification that the review has been undertaken shall be provided to the
Parent Association. A record of the review and its outcome shall be made available, if
requested, to the patron and the DES.

Staff who take classes swimming should make sure that there are two adults in
attendance at all times. The dressing rooms and pool area should be well supervised

Staff involved in after school activities or in out of class activities during the school
day should always ensure that there are at least two adults present at all times

Staff should not be alone in a classroom with one child or detain a child on their own
after school. In the case of special needs pupils where resource hours and assistance
are sanctioned on an individual basis all of the occupants should be visible at all
times

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 Children with physical disabilities who may require assistance in toiletry matters will
be aided by a Special Needs Assistant who has met the necessary screening
requirements when being employed by the school.

Staff Cars: At the conclusion of after school activities not taking place in school
children will be brought back to the school, and should be collected promptly by the
parent at pre-arranged time. Staff will not deliver children to their homes.

If a child is ill, parents will have to provide an alternative phone number for someone
who will collect the child from school.

School Staff should always ensure that there are least two children in their car on any
occasion that they use their own car.

Special Needs: The Stay Safe Programme will be taught each year. Where there are
children with limited academic ability, the content and activities of the lesson will be
differentiated to help them to understand the message of the lesson.

It should be noted that children with disabilities may be more at risk of abuse due to a
number of reasons (see list outlined on page 99 of Children First Guidelines).
Parents, teachers and all staff involved in services for children with disabilities need
to be familiar with the indicators of abuse and to be alert for signs of abuse.

Supervision: During breaks, all pupils are supervised by teachers in the school yard.
To access toilets on the corridor, children must have permission of the supervising
teacher.

Parents must sign out a childs being removed from the premises during the school
day and sign the child back in if the child returns to school that day

Ratification of Policy

The guidelines outlined in this policy are implemented with immediate effect. This policy
will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year.

This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on March 10h 2016

Signed: _________________________ Signed: __________________________

Chairperson of Board of Management Principal

Date: March 10th 2016 Date: March 10th 2016

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The Board further endorses the Principal, Ursula Hedderman as the school DLP and Clare
O'Connor as Deputy DLP.

_______________________________ (Chairperson) Date: March 10th 2016

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 APPENDIX A:
Checklist for Annual Review of the Child Protection Policy

The Board of Management must undertake an annual review of its Child Protection Policy and the
following checklist shall be used for this purpose.

The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive
list. The BoM may wish to include other items in the
checklist that are of particular relevance to Scoil Chill Ruadhain and reserves the right to do so
if/when the need occurs.

1. As part of the overall review process, Boards of Management should also assess other YES NO
school policies, practices and activities vis a vis their adherence to the principles of best
practice in child protection and welfare as set out in the schools Child Protection policy
2. Has the Board formally adopted a child protection policy in accordance with the Child YES NO
Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools?
3. As part of the schools child protection policy, has the Board formally adopted, without YES NO
modification, the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools?
4. Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed? YES NO
5. Are the relevant contact details (HSE and An Garda Sochna) to hand? YES NO
6. Has the DLP attended available child protection training? YES NO
7. Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection training? YES NO
8. Have any members of the Board attended child protection training? YES NO
9. Has the schools child protection policy identified other school policies, practices and activities
YES NO
that are regarded as having particular child protection relevance?
10. Has the Board ensured that the Departments Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post YES NO
Primary Schools are available to all school personnel?
11. Does the Board have arrangements in place to communicate the schools child protection YES NO
policy to new school personnel?
12. Is the Board satisfied that all school personnel have been made aware of their responsibilitiesYES NO
under the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools?
13. Since the Boards last annual review, was the Board informed of any child protection reports YES NO
made to the HSE/An Garda Sochna by the DLP?
14. Since the Boards last annual review, was the Board informed of any cases where the DLP YES NO
sought advice from the HSE and as a result of this advice, no report to the HSE was
made?
15. Is the Board satisfied that the child protection procedures in relation to the making of YES NO
reports to the HSE/ An Garda Sochna were appropriately followed?
16. Were child protection matters reported to the Board appropriately recorded in the Board YES NO
minutes?
17. Is the Board satisfied that all records relating to child protection are appropriately filed YES NO
and stored securely?
18. Has the Board ensured that the Parents Association has been provided with the schools YES NO
child protection policy?

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 APPENDIX B

Child Protection Practices

The staff and BoM of this school have identified the following as areas of specific concern in
relation to Child Protection. Following discussion and consultation, the staff and BoM have
agreed that the following practices be adopted:

Physical contact between school personnel and the child should always be in response
to the needs of the child and not the needs of the adult.

While physical contact may be used to comfort, reassure or assist a child, the following
should be factors in determining its appropriateness:

It is acceptable to the child

It is open and not secretive
The age and developmental stage of the child

School personnel should avoid doing anything of a personal nature for children that they can
do for themselves.

School personnel should never engage in or allow:

The use of inappropriate language or behaviours

Physical punishment of any kind
Sexually provocative games or suggestive comments about or to a child
The use of sexually explicit or pornagraphic material

All media products (CDs, DVDs etc. should be checked for their appropriateness with regard
to age and suitability.

Visitors/Guest Speakers
Vetted guest speakers and visiting teachers of varying disciplines, employed by the BoM of
Scoil Chill Ruadhin Brooklodge to perform specific duties, will not be left work with a class
alone.

Visitors/Guest speakers should never be left alone with pupils. The school (principal/
teachers) has a responsibility to check out the credentials of the visitor/guest speaker and to
ensure that the material in use is appropriate.

Children with specific toileting/intimate care needs

In all situations where a pupil needs assistance with toileting/intimate care, a meeting
will be convened, after enrolment and before the child starts school, between
parents/guardians, class teacher, special needs assistant, Principal and if appropriate
the pupil. The purpose of the meeting will be to ascertain the specific needs of the
child and to determine how the school can best meet those needs

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 The staff to be involved in this care will be identified and provision will be made for
occasions when the particular staff involved are absent. A written copy of what has
been agreed will be made and kept in the childs file
Two members of staff will be present when dealing with intimate care/toileting needs.
Any deviation from the agreed procedure will be recorded and notified to the DLP
and the parents/guardians.

Toileting accidents
Clean underwear and suitable clothing will be kept in the school so that if a pupil has an
accident of this nature, they will in the first instance be offered fresh clothing into which
they can change.
If the pupil for whatever reason cannot clean or change themselves and the parents/guardians
cannot be contacted, the child will be assisted by members of staff familiar to the child. In all
such situations, two members of staff should be present. A record of all such incidents will
be kept and Principal and parents will be notified.

Accidents
While every precaution will be taken under our Health and Safety Statement to ensure the
safety of children, we realise that accidents will happen. Accidents will be noted in our
Incident book and will be addressed under our Accident Policy as part of Health and Safety.

One-to-one teaching
It is the policy in this school that one-to-one teaching is in the best interest of some
pupils
Every effort will be made to ensure that this teaching takes place in an open
environment
Parents of children who are to be involved in one-to-one teaching will be informed
and their agreement sought
Work being carried out by Special Needs Assistants will be carried out under the
direction of the class teacher in an open environment.

Changing for Games/ PE / Swimming

Pupils will be expected to dress and undress themselves for Games/ PE/ Swimming. Where
assistance is needed this will be done in the communal area and with the consent of parents.
Under no circumstances will members of staff/ volunteers be expected to or allowed to
dress/undress a child in a cubicle/private area. In such situations where privacy is required,
the parents/guardians of the child will be asked to assist the child.

Attendance
Our school attendance will be monitored as per our attendance policy. With regards to child
protection, we will pay particular attention to trends in non-attendance. We will also monitor
non-attendance in correlation with signs of neglect/physical/emotional abuse.

Behaviour
Children are encouraged at all times to play co-operatively and inappropriate behaviour will
be addressed under our Code of Behaviour. If an incident occurs which we consider to be of a
sexualised nature we will notify the DLP who will record it and respond to it appropriately.

Bullying

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Bullying behaviour will be addressed under our Anti-Bullying policy. If the behaviour
involved is of a sexualised nature or regarded as being particularly abusive, then the matter
will be referred to the DLP.

Children travelling in staff cars

Members of the school staff will not carry children alone in their cars at any time.

Communication
Every effort will be made to enhance pupil-teacher communication. If pupils have concerns
they will be listened to sympathetically. The SPHE/Oral Language/RE programmes allow for
open pupil-teacher communication, which is hoped will aid the pupil-teacher relationship. If
teachers have to communicate with pupils on a one-to-one basis, they are requested to leave
the classroom door open or request a colleague to attend. Further details on communications
are found in the schools Communication Policy.

Induction of Staff
The DLP will be responsible for informing all new teachers and ancillary staff of the Child
Protection Guidelines and Procedures (DES, 2001) and Children First Guidelines (1999), but
particularly the recently published Children First National Guidance for the Protection and
Welfare of Children (2011). The DLP will give a copy of the Child Protection Guidelines and
Procedures, Chapters 3 & 4 and Appendix 1 of Children First and this Child Protection Policy
to all new staff. All new teachers are expected to teach the designated SPHE objectives for
their class. A member of staff, once trained, will be responsible for the mentoring of new
teachers and will be responsible for supporting new teachers as they implement the SPHE
objectives. Scoil Chill Ruadhin Brooklodge is responsible for ensuring that new teachers
know how to fill in the roll book correctly and informing the teacher of record keeping
procedures within the school.

Induction of Pupils
All parents and children will be made aware of attendance rules and their implications as laid
down in the Education Welfare Act (2000). All parents will be informed of the programmes in
place in the school that deal with personal development e.g. RSE, Walk Tall, Stay Safe and
SPHE. All new parents will be given a copy of the schools enrolment policy, which outlines
the procedures parents and children should use when contacting the school if there are
absences or concerns of an educational/personal/family matter. Parents are encouraged to
make an appointment with the class teacher/principal if they wish to discuss their childs
progress. All parents will be given a copy of the schools Code of Behaviour and Anti-
Bullying policies.

Internet Safety
It is the intention of the Principal and Staff at Scoil Chill Ruadhin Brooklodge to ensure that
child protection concerns will be addressed in the schools Acceptable Use Policy as part of
its Information and Communication Technology policy. The Stay Safe lessons in each
classroom will be supplemented with a lesson from the Webwise Resource Pack.

Record Keeping
Teachers will keep their own personal records on each pupils in a safe secure place.Roll
books will be updated daily. Sensitive information regarding children will be shared on a
need-to-know basis. All educational files of pupils who no longer attend this school are kept

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in the filing cabinet in the office. Further details on record keeping will be found in the
schools Record Keeping Policy.

Supervision
The schools supervision policy will be followed by all staff to ensure that there is
comprehensive supervision of children at all breaks.

Visibility
Teachers will ensure that children are visible in the school playground. Children are not be
allowed to spend time in classrooms where they are not be under adult supervision. They are
not to leave the school playground or to engage with adults who are outside of the school
playground.

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 Appendix C

Reporting Form for Child Protection and Welfare Concerns to a HSE

1. Date of Report
2. Name of person reporting
3. Address of person reporting
4. Relationship of reporting person with the child concerned
5. Method of report (telephone call, personal call to office)
6. Family Details

Details of Child Concerned

Surname
Forename
DOB
Male/female
Alias (known as)
Address:

Correspondence address (if different)

Telephone number

7. State whether you consider your report to indicate (a) suspected or actual child abuse or
(b) need for family support, giving reasons

Physical Sexual Emotional

Abuse Abuse Abuse Neglect
Suspect
Actual

8. Details of other family members/household members

Name Age Relationship to Employment/School Location

child

In cases of emergency, or outside HSE hours, reports should be made to An Garda Sochna.

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9. Name of Other Professionals Involved with Child/ren and/or Parents/Carers.

Public health nurse:

School:

General practitioner:

Any other agency or professional involved (please describe the nature of any
involvement):

Report Details.

10. Describe, as fully as possible the nature of the problem or incident being reported, giving
details of times and dates of individual incidents, the circumstances in which they
occurred, any other persons who were present at the time, and their involvement

11. Has any explanation been offered by the child, and/or parents/carers, which would
account for the current problem or incident? (Details)

12. As far as possible, describe the state of the child/rens physical, mental and emotional
well-being.

13. If child abuse is being alleged, who is believed to be responsible for causing it?

Include (if known)

Name:

Address:

Degree of contact with child:

Degree of contact with other children:

14. Describe (in detail) any risks to which the child/ren in this situation is/are believed to be
exposed.

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15. How did this information come to your attention

16. What has prompted you to report your concern at this time?

17. What evidence of harm exists at present?

18. Are there any factors in the child and/or parents/carers present situation, which may have
relevance to the current concern? (for example, recent illness, bereavement, separation,
addiction, mental health problem or other difficulty)

19. Are there any factors in the child and/or parents/carers situation which could be
considered protective or helpful (for example, extended family or community support)?

20. Has any action been taken in response to the current concern or incident (Details)

21. Are the childs parents/ carers aware that this concern is being reported to the HSE?

22. Is there a need for urgent protective action at this point?

23. Any other comments.

Signed: ____________________ Date: ____________

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Appendix D

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In recent years, as a society, we have become very aware of the problem of child abuse
through neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

Each one of us has a duty to protect children and Children First, the National Guidelines, for
the Protection and Welfare of Children noted that teachers, who are the main care givers to
children outside the family, are particularly well placed to observe and monitor children for
signs of abuse.

In response to this, the Department of Education and Skills published Guidelines and
Procedures for all schools in relation to child protection and welfare. These guidelines
promote the safety and welfare of all children and are to be welcomed.

The Board of Management of Scoil Chill Ruadhain has adopted these guidelines as school
policy. Consequently, if school staff suspect or are alerted to possible child abuse, they are
obliged to refer this matter to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE will then assess
the situation and provide support for the child concerned.

Children First, the National Guidelines for the Protection of Children may be assessed on the
website of the Department of Health and Children (www.dohc.ie) and the Department of
Education and Skills Child Protection Guidelines can be read on the Departments website
(www.education.ie). Parents/Guardians are also welcome to look through the guidelines here
at the school.

Yours sincerely,

Ursula Hedderman.

Principal

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Child Protection Contacts

Designated Liaison Person

Ursula Hedderman

Deputy DLP

Clare O'Connor

Grda Sochna Glanmire

0214821002

Local Contact For

The Children and Family Social Services of the HSE

TELEPHONE: 021 4927000

NorthLeeSocialWorkDepartment
Blackpool
Cork

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