Child Safeguarding Statement
St. John’s N.S. is a primary school providing primary education to pupils from Early Start 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 St. John’s N.S. has agreed to 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: CATHERINE COADY
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is: KATRINA SCANLAN
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. 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 cooperate 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 school’s 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
Note: The above is not intended as an exhaustive list. Individual Boards of Management shall also include in this section such other procedures/measures that are of relevance to the school in question
This statement has been published on the school’s website and has been provided to all members of school personnel, the Parents’ Association (if any) 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 on22/03/2023
Signed: ___Sarah Cosgrave___ Signed: ___Catherine Coady_
Chairperson of BoM Principal/Secretary to the BoM
Date: ____22/03/2023—– Date: _____22/03/2023______
St John’s National School
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Eoin
Principal: Catherine Coady Deputy Principal: Katrina Scanlan
Address: Wyattville Road, Phone: 01 9020990
Ballybrack, Email: office@stjohnsns.ie
County Dublin, Website: www.stjohnsns.ie
A96 NW60
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment:
List of School Activities:
Training of school personnel in Child Protection matters.
One-to-one teaching/SNA
Care of children with Special Needs, including intimate care needs
Toilet areas
Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils.
Managing Challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint.
Sports Coaches and Visiting Teachers
Students participating in work experience
Recreation breaks for pupils
Classroom teaching
Outdoor teaching activities
After school activities
School outings
Overnight school tour
Annual sports day
Fundraising events involving pupils
Use of off-site facilities for school activities
School transport arrangements including use of bus escorts
Administration of medicine/Administration of first aid
Prevention of and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/needs such as:
Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants
Members of the Traveller community
Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children
Children perceived to be LGBT
Pupils of minority religious faiths
Children in care
Children on CPNS
Recruitment of school personnel including:
Teachers
SNA’s
Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaners
Sports Coaches
External Tutors/ Guest Speakers
Volunteers/Parents in school activities
Visitors/Contractors present in school during school hours
Visitors/Contractors in school during after school activities
Use of Information Technology by pupils in school
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school
Use of Video/photography/other media to record school events
After school use of premises by other organisations
Online teaching and learning remotely.
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities:
Harm not recognised or reported promptly.
Correct procedures and practices being followed
Harm by school personnel
Potential accident occurring
Harm by school personnel
Harm by or to other children
Inappropriate behaviour
Non-teaching of same
Harm from older pupils, unknown adults on the playground
Injury to pupils and staff
Harm to pupils
Harm by student
Harm to student – by other children
– by staff members
– by accident
Harm to students
Harm to students
Harm to students
Children not attending – noone supervising
Harm to students
Risk of absconding
Harm to students
Accidents or Illness
Unsupervised risk of mobile phone
Harm to students
Child leaving premises without permission/informing school
Sharing of photos on social media
Harm to students
Child leaving premises without permission/informing school
Sharing of photos on social media
Harm to students/changing rooms
Inappropriate behaviour
Child not collected/teacher left on a 1-to-1 basis
Harm to student by adult
Risk to child – wrong dosage, no medicine given or wrong medicine administered
Harm to students – physical and emotional
Bullying/Discrimination
Staff not being aware of safety needs of children
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported
Bullying – Exposure to inappropriate material
Harm to students by staff personnel
Not understanding practices and procedures
Risk of children’s pictures being displayed on social media
Data protection.
Harm to students
Risk of information being posted on social media
3. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment:
Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff and reviewed on an annual basis.
Child protection risk assessment made available to all staff and reviewed on an annual basis.
DLP and DDLP to attend PDST face to face training (where available)
All staff to view Tusla training module and any other online training offered by PDST
BOM records all records of staff and board training
Usage and Supervision policy
Glass in window/door
Open door policy
Timetables organised so 1-to-1 teaching occurs close to other classes.
Intimate Care policy
Individual Risk assessment for each child in the AS classes (where necessary)
All children to be in view of staff members at all times
Usage and Supervision Policy
School implements SPHE, RSE and Stay Safe in full – cuntas míosúils checked regularly
Usage and Supervision policy
On wet and extremely cold days children are supervised in the hall by staff members from 8:40am or in classroom (Covid precaution)
Health and Safety policy
Code of Behaviour policy
AS policies – Code of Behaviour/Behaviour Management Protocol & Managing Behaviour of Concerns
Usage and Supervision policy
All visitors report to office, sign in and wear a visitors lanyard
Work experience policy
Child safeguarding statement
Usage and supervision policy
Health and Safety Policy
Code of Behaviour/s; Managing Behaviours of Concern policy
Anti-bullying policy
In school safety procedures to be taught
Usage and Supervision policy
Health and Safety policy
Usage and Supervision policy
Code of Behaviour/s
Usage and Supervision policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Usage and Supervision policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Intimate Care policy
Code of Behaviour/s
Acceptable Use policy
Procedure for Wandering and Absconding Student Behaviour
Usage and Supervision Policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Code of Behaviour/s
Anti-bullying policy
Acceptable use policy
Procedure for Wandering and Absconding Student Behaviour
Health and Safety policy (Appendix 3)
Usage and Supervision policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Code of Behaviour/s
Anti-bullying policy
Acceptable Use policy
Usage and Supervision policy
Code of Behaviour/s
Anti-bullying policy
Acceptable Use policy
Garda vetting for volunteers
Usage and Supervision policy
Garda vetting and insurance checked
Staff and child to remain in populated area at all times
Usage and Supervision policy
Health and Safety policy (Appendix 3)
Administration of medicines in schools indemnity form to be completed by all parents
Administration of Medicine policy
Anti-bullying policy
Code of Behaviour/s
Anti-bullying policy
Code of behaviour/s
Colour coded alert system on Aladdin
Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff and reviewed on an annual basis.
Staff to view Tusla training module and any other online training offered by PDST – annually
Risk Assessments to be made available to all staff and to be reviewed annually
Vetting procedures in place
Policy on Parents/Volunteers
Policy on Visiting Contractors
Acceptable Use policy
Anti-bullying policy
Usage and Supervision policy
Work Experience Policy
Statutory declaration to be given
Acceptable Use policy
School identifier code for each child
Sensitive information to be kept under lock and key
Remote Teaching policy
Acceptable Use policy
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 06/01/2022. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Signed ____Sarah Cosgrave___ Date ___22/03/2023__
Chairperson of the Board of Management
Signed ___Catherine Coady___ Date _____22/03/2023__
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management