Convent Of Mercy Primary School

Church St Kanturk, Co. Cork

Phone No: (029) 50021

Fax No: (029) 51401

Email :office @gnskanturk.com

www.gnskanturk.com

Child Safeguarding Statement

Convent of Mercy Primary School Kanturk  is a primary school providing primary

education to pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class

and  for pupils with ASD Early Intervention.

 

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 Convent of Mercy

Primary School Kanturk 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  Derval Vaughan

3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Úna Meehan

 

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 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)

 

- 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

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

1.