Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
Written Assessment of Risk of St. Brigid’s Primary 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 St. Brigid’s Primary School..
1. List of school activities
1. Toilets not attached to classrooms.
2. Use of videos and cameras by parents at school related events.
3. Swimming lessons.
4. Tours.
5 .Location of apartments overlooking playground.
6. Grandparents’ Day.
7. Work experience students.
8. Playground.
9. SEN pupils when withdrawn from classroom.
10. Managing challenging behaviour.
2. The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities –
1. Pupils wandering off or meeting other pupils or adults on way to toilet.
2. Inappropriate use or circulation of videos or photographs.
3. Public areas and dressing rooms.
4. Pupils in public areas, guides, bus drivers.
5. Pupils are in full view of residents in the apartments.
6. Open access to school for refreshments.
7. Students working with small groups of pupils.
8. Playground in full view of roadway.
9. Pupils in 1 to 1 teaching situation, meeting other persons on route to SET teacher.
10. Need to restrain a child in interest of his/her own safety and safety of others.
3. The school has the following procedures in place to address the risks of harm identified in this assessment –
• Code of behaviour policy.
• All personnel provided with a copy of Child Safeguarding Statement and Children First Guidelines.
• Garda vetting for all school personnel and all visiting teachers, coaches, students.
• Anti-Bullying policy.
• Policy on one to one teaching.
• Staff availing of relevant training and copy kept of this training.
• B.O.M. availing of relevant training.
• Work experience students policy.
• Critical Incident Management Plan.
• SEN policy
• Implementation of Stay Safe/SPHE curriculum.
• Playground supervision.
• Relevant policies on school website.
• Parents advised re use of videos and photos.
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 17th April 2018. It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Signed Fr. Liam Farrell Date 17/04/18
Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed; Geraldine Earley Date 17/04/18
Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management.
ST. BRIGID’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Child Safeguarding Statement
St. Brigid’s Primary School 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 St. Brigid’s Primary School has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
1 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
2 The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Cathy Gillivan
3 The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Sabrina Rabbette
4 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 pupil with a special vulnerability.
5 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 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.
• 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 this statement.
• 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.
6 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.
7 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 17th April 2018.
Signed: Fr.Liam Farrell Signed: Geraldine Earley
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date: 17/04/18 Date: 17/04/18
Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of the Child Safeguarding Statement.
The Board of Management of St. Brigid’s Primary 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 19th February 2019.
- The 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: Liam Farrell Chairperson B.O.M.
Date: 19th February 2019
Signed: Geraldine Earley Principal/Secretary B.O.M.
Date: 19th February 2019
