Child Safeguarding Statement

Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara provides education to children 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 Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management (BOM) of Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na Mara has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.
The BOM 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: Ms Cepta Burke (School Principal)
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is: Ms Anne Brennan (Deputy Principal)

The BOM 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 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.
• continue our 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 following procedures/measures are in place in our school:
• 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 website of the Department of Education & Skills.
• 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 and Risk Assessment.
• Has provided each member of the teaching staff with a copy of DES Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Secondary Schools 2017.
• Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement.
• Encourages staff to avail of relevant training.
• Encourages BOM members to avail of relevant training.
• Maintains records of all staff and Board member training on behalf of the BOM.
• 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 is in our Risk Assessment document. The Risk Assessment document can be updated as often as necessary and the most recent update will be available on our website.

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. The document provided on our website includes links to further documents and policies available on our website, on the website of the Department of Education & Skills or the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This statement has been published on the school’s website and has been provided to all members of school personnel and the patron. It is readily accessible to parents and guardians. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and the Department of Education and Skills 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 BOM on   15/11/2018
Signed: ___________________________
Chairperson of BOM
Date: _____________

Signed: ____________________________
Principal
Date: ______________

Links to relevant websites:
The school website is: www.donacarneyschool.ie
The DES website is www.education.ie
The Tusla website is www.tusla.ie
The DCYA website is www.dcya.ie