 |
|
Policy for the Protection and
Welfare of Children
January 2011 The Board of Management has agreed to adopt the ‘Child Protection Guidelines’ laid down by the Department of Education and the ‘Children First’ guidelines laid down by the Department of Health and Children. The
following information is in line with the current recommendations and
guidelines relating to child abuse prevention and child protection
guidelines. AIM
To
assist teachers in identifying and reporting child abuse. Teachers
with concerns regarding:- (1)
specific
indication from child that she/he was abused. (2)
an account
by
a person who saw child being abused.
(3) evidence, such as an injury or
behaviour which is consistent with abuse and unlikely to be
caused another way. (4) consistent indication, over a
period of time, that a child is suffering from
emotional or physical neglect. should
report and discuss concerns with principal.
The principal supported by Board of Management is
responsible for
ensuring that the standard reporting procedure is followed so that
suspected
cases of child abuse are reported promptly to the local Health Board. Upon discussion and agreement a report should
be made to the Health Board in person, by phone or in writing. A social worker is available to talk or meet
with persons wishing to report child protection concerns. In
the event of an emergency, or the non-availability of Health Board
staff, the
report should be made to An Garda Síochána. The
standard reporting form should contain the following detail:- (1)
accurate
identifying information as far as it is known.
This includes the names,addresses and ages of the child
and all children
in the family as well as the parents’/carers’ names and address; (2)
name and
address of the person alleged to be causing harm to the child; (3)
a full
account
of what constitutes the grounds for concern about the welfare and
protection of
the child or children; (4)
source of
any
information which is being discussed with the Health Board; (5)
dates when
the
concern arose, or a particular incident occurred; (6)
circumstances
in which the concern arose, or the incident occurred; (7)
any
explanation offered to account for the risk, injury or concern; (8)
the
child’s
own statement, if relevant; (9)
any other
information regarding difficulties which the family may be
experiencing. These may include
illness,
recent bereavement or separation,
financial situation,
addiction, disability, mental health problem; (10)
any factors which may be considered supportive or protective of the family. These may include helpful family
members, neighbours, useful
services
or projects with whom they have contact; (11)
name of child or children’s school; (12)
name of child and/or family’s general
practitioner; (13)
the reporter’s own involvement with the child and parents/carers; (14)
details of any action already taken about the risk or concern; (15)
names and addresses of any agencies or key persons involved with the (16)
identity of reporters including name, address, telephone number, occupation and relationship with the family. NB Any
professional who suspects child abuse should inform the parents/carers
if a
report is to be submitted to the Health Board or Garda Síochána unless
doing so
is likely to endanger the child. CONFIDENTIALITY
All
information regarding concern of assessment of child abuse should be
shared on
an “a need to know” basis in the interests of the child. No
undertakings regarding secrecy can be given.
Those working with a child and family should make this
clear to all
parties involved. Giving
information to others for the protection of a child is not a breach of
confidentiality. It must be understood
that information which is gathered for one purpose must not be used for
another
without consulting the person who provided that information. Eastern
Health Board Address:
Tivoli Road
Dun
Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Tel: (01)
2848785
Fax: (01)
2808785 Signs
& Symptoms of Abuse – Appendix 1 pg. 125 – 131
Children First Manual –
Department of
Education & Science. The
Board of management of this school has appointed Caroline Senior as the
Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Vonla Griffin as the deputy DLP. Policy
adopted by the Board of Management on 26th
January 2011 Signed:______________________
Chairperson |