Anti Bullying Policy

St Malachy’s Girls’ School is a primary school situated in Dundalk, County Louth under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Armagh and regulated by the Department of Education and Skills. Our school gives due regard to all legislation and best practise in relation to children and pupils. All procedures, implementation and risk assessments are outlined in this document.

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 and staff of St. Malachy’s GNS have composed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

The Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department of Education’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement.

The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for St Malachy’s Girls’ School is Ms. Bríd Galligan.

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Mrs. Karen Tuite.

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 schools 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 child 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 pupil 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 pupils, 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 The 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 the 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 staff 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 pupil 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 made available on request.

This statement is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla 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.

St Malachy’s Girls’ School Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

Written Assessment of Risk of St. Malachy’s Girls’ 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. Malachy’s GNS

List of School Activities

Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils.
Recreation breaks for pupils.
Classroom teaching.
One-to-one teaching.
Sporting Activities.
Use of Sporting facilities: School Hall, Youth Centre, Field.
Use of School Hall and Stage.
Use of Library.
School outings/tours.
Use of toilet/changing areas in schools.
Annual Sports Day.
Annual Active Day and Mountain Walk.
Care of children with special educational needs, including intimate care where needed.
Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required.
Administration of medicine.
Administration of First Aid.
Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe.
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils.
Training of school personnel in child protection matters.
Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/needs such as:

Members of the Traveller community.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children.
Pupils perceived to be LGB.
Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants.
Pupils of minority religious faiths.
Children in care.
Children on CPNS.

Recruitment of school personnel including -

Teachers/SNAs.
Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaners.
Sports coaches.
External Tutors/Guest Speakers.
Volunteers/Parents in school activities.
Visitors/contractors present in school during school hours.

Participation by pupils in religious ceremonies/religious instruction external to the school.
Use of external personnel to support sports.
Use of I.T. by pupils in school.
Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.
Students participating in work experience in the school.
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school.
Use of video/photography/other media to record school events.
One-to-one support.
Transport arrangements including use of staff cars.

The School has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities:

Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel.
Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel.
Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel.
Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child.
Risk of child being harmed in the school by volunteer or visitor to the school.
Risk 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 school.
Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities.
Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.
Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school.
Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities.
Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care.
Risk of harm due to inadequate code of behaviour.
Risk of harm in one-to-one teaching, counselling, coaching situation.
Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel communicating with pupils in appropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other manner.
Risk 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 Statement.
The 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.
All staff has completed mandatory Children First online training.
The school implements in full the Stay Safe Programme.
The school implements in full the SPHE curriculum.
The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the Department’s Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
The 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, changing rooms etc.
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 policy.
The school has an intimate care policy/plan in respect of students who require such care.
The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication to pupils.
The 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 training.
- Maintains records of all staff and board member training.
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 pupils.
The school has in place an ICT policy in respect of usage of ICT by pupils.
The school has in place a mobile phone policy in respect of usage of mobile phones by pupils.
The school has in place a Critical Incident Management Plan.
The school has in place a Home School Liaison policy and related procedures.
The school has in place a policy and procedures for the use of external persons to supplement delivery of the curriculum.
The school has in place a policy and procedures for the use of external sports coaches.
The school has in place a policy and clear procedures for one-to-one teaching activities.
The school has in place a policy and procedures for one-to-one counselling.
The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of student teacher placements.
The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of students undertaking work experience in the school.
The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of pupils of the school undertaking work experience in external organisations.

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 school 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 ___________

It shall be reviewed as part of the annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.

Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________

Chairperson

Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________

Principal

St. Malachy’s GNS Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement

The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 require The Board of Management to undertake a review of its Child Safeguarding Statement and that the following checklist shall be used for this purpose. The review must be completed every year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the Child Safeguarding Statement refers. Undertaking an annual review will also ensure that a school also meets its statutory obligation under section 11(8) of the Children First Act 2015, to review its Child Safeguarding Statement every two years.

The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list of the issues to be considered.

	Yes/No
Has the Board of Management formally adopted a Child Safeguarding Statement in accordance with the ‘Child protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’?
As part of the schools Child Safeguarding Statement, has the Board of Management formally adopted, without modification, the ‘Child protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’’?
Does the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement include a written assessment of risk as required under the Children First Act 2015?
Has the Board of Management reviewed and updated where necessary the written assessment of risk as part of this overall review?
Has the DLP attended available child protection training?
Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection training?
Have any members of the Board of Management attended child protection training?
Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed?
Are the relevant contact details (Tusla and An Garda Síochána) to hand?
Has the Board of Management arrangements in place to communicate the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement to new school personnel?
Is the Board of Management satisfied that all school personnel have been made aware of their responsibilities under the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ and the Children First Act 2015?
Has the Board of Management received a Principal’s Child Protection Oversight Report at each board meeting held since the last review was undertaken?
Since the Board of Management’s last review, was the board informed of any child protection reports made to Tusla/An Garda Síochána by the DLP?
Since the Board of Management’s last review, was the Board of Management informed of any cases where the DLP sought advice from Tusla/and as a result of this advice, no report to the HSE was made?
Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any cases where an allegation of abuse or neglect was made against any member of school personnel?
Has the Board been provided with and reviewed all documents relevant to the Principal’s Child Protection Oversight report?
Is the Board of Management satisfied that the child protection procedures in relation to the making of reports to Tusla/An Garda Síochána were appropriately followed in each case reviewed?
Is the Board of Management satisfied that, since the last review, all appropriate actions are being or have been taken in respect of any member of school personnel against whom an allegation of abuse or neglect has been made?*
Were child protection matters reported to the Board of Management appropriately recorded in the Board of Management’s minutes?
Is the Board of Management satisfied that all records relating to child protection are appropriately filed and stored securely?
Has the Board of Management been notified by any parent in relation to that parent not receiving the standard notification required under section 5.6 of the ‘Child protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’
In relation to any cases identified at question 21 above, has the Board of Management’s ensured that any notifications required section 5.6 of the ‘Child protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ were subsequently issued by the DLP?
Has the Board ensured that the Parents’ Association has been provided with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?
Has the Board ensured that the patron has been provided with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?
Has the Board ensured that the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement is available to parents on request?
Has the Board ensured that the Stay Safe programme is implemented in full in the school?
Has the Board ensured that the SPHE curriculum is implemented in full in the school?
Is the Board of Management satisfied that the statutory requirements for Garda Vetting have been met in respect of all school personnel (employees and volunteers)?
Is the Board satisfied that the Department’s requirements in relation to the provision of a child protection related statutory declaration and associated form of undertaking have been met in respect of persons appointed to teaching and non-teaching positions?*
Is the Board satisfied that, from a child protection perspective, thorough recruitment and selection procedures are applied by the school in relation to all school personnel (employees and volunteers)?*
Has the Board considered and addressed any complaints or suggestions for improvements regarding the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?
Has the Board sought the feedback of parents in relation to the school’s compliance with the requirements of the child safeguarding requirements of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’
Has the Board sought the feedback of pupils in relation to the school’s child safeguarding arrangements?
Is the Board of Management satisfied that the ‘Child protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ are being fully and adequately implemented by the school?
Has the Board of Management identified any aspects of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that require further improvement?
Has the Board of Management put in place an action plan containing appropriate timelines to address those aspects of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that have been identified as requiring further improvement ?
Has the Board of Management ensured that any areas for improvement that were identified in any previous review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement have been adequately addressed?