Safeguarding Policy Ursuline Boarding School

CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The Ursuline Boarding School in Thurles Co Tipperary is a Residential facility for Boarders from First Year to Leaving Certificate Year.

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 Ursuline Boarding School has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

1. The Ursuline Boarding School has adopted and will implement full and withoutmodification 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 Sr. Bernadette Blake

3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP is Sr. Berchmans Whelan

4. The Ursuline Boarding School recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of Boarding 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 Boarding 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.

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 Boarding 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 .
  • 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.
  • 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 Boarding School
  • Has provided each member of Boarding School Staff with a copy of the Boarding School’s Child Safeguarding Statement.
  • Ensures all new staff is provided with a copy of the Boarding School’s Child Safeguarding Statement.
  • Encourages Boarding School staff to avail of relevant training
  • Maintains records of all Boarding School staff training.

In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all Boarding School personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017, in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.

  • The Boarding School abovenamed DLP is the “relevant Person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in in respect of the Child safeguarding statement.
  • All staff employed by the Boarding School are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.
  • In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Boarding School has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the Boarding School. 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 will be made available on request by the Boarding School.

6. This statement 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.

The Child Safeguarding Statement was adopted by the Boarding School on _8th March, 2018

CHILD SAFEGUARDING RISK ASSESSMENT

Written Assessment of Risk of Ursuline Boarding School, Thurles Co Tipperary

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 Ursuline Boarding School, Thurles.

List of School Activities

  • Provision of Residential facilities for boarders
  • Sporting Activities
  • Recreation breaks for pupils
  • Use of toilet/changing/shower areas in Boarding School.
  • Administration of Medicine and First Aid.
  • Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
  • Training of school personnel in child protection matters
  • Recruitment of school personnel including-Supervisors, Ancillary Staff, Visitors /contractors present in school during school hours.
  • Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school.
  • Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.
  • Use of video/photography/other media in the Boarding School.
  • Homework club in the Boarding School.

THE BOARDING SCHOOL HAS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING RISKS 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 Boarding school personnel.
  • Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of the Boarding school personnel.
  • Risk of child being in the Boarding School by another Child in the Boarding School.
  • Risk of child being harmed in the Boarding  school by a volunteer or visitor to the school
  • Risk of child being harmed by a member of Boarding School personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while participating in out of school activities e.g swimming lessons.
  • Risk of harm due to bullying of child.
  • Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in the Boarding school.
  • Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities.
  • Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communication between child and another child or adult in the Boarding School.
  • Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while in the Boarding school.
  • Risk of harm in one-to-one teaching or counselling while in the Boarding school.
  • Risk of harm caused by a member of the Boarding school personnel communicating with pupils in an inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other manner.
  • Risk of harm caused by member of Boarding school personnel accessing/ circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or other manner.

PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS RISKS OF HARM

  • All Boarding 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 Boarding School personnel.
  • All Boarding school Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary schools 2017.
  • The Boarding School has an Anti-Bullying Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the Department’s Anti-Bulling Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
  • The Boarding School has a sports grounds and recreation halls supervision of children during all recreation times and in respect of specific  areas such as toilets, changing rooms etc.
  • The School has a health and safety policy.
  •  The Boarding School adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation re recruitment. The Boarding School has a code of conduct for Boarding School personnel.
  • The Boarding School has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication and First Aid to pupils.
  • The Boarding School has in place a code of behaviour for pupils.
  • The Boarding School has in place an ICT policy in respect of usage of ICT by Students.
  • The Boarding School has in place a mobile phone policy in respect of usage of mobile phones by pupils.
  • The Boarding School has in place a policy and clear procedures for one-to-one teaching activities.
  • The Boarding School has in place a policy and procedures for one-to-one counselling.
  • The Boarding School –

v  Has provided each member of Boarding School Staff with a copy of the Boarding School’s Child Safeguarding Statement.

v  Ensures all new staff is provided with a copy of the Boarding School’s Child Safeguarding Statement.

v  Encourages Boarding School staff to avail of relevant training

v  Maintains records of all Boarding School staff training.