CSS1

Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment

For:

Scoil Mochua

At:

Oulart, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Y25 XK24

This school is a: (tick appropriate) ☑primary         ☐post-primary          ☐     special school

In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Addendum to Children First (2019) and 2025, Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 and Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, 2nd ed. (Tusla, 2024), the board of management has adopted the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment set out in this document.

The board of management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the department's Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.

Name of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP):

Mrs. Deirdre Byrne

Name of the Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP/DDLP):

Ms. Aoife Griffin

In the absence of the DLP, the Deputy DLP shall assume responsibilities of the DLP

Name of Relevant Person

Mrs. Deirdre Byrne

(In schools this person is the DLP)

Relevant Person can be contacted on:

053-9136177

oulartns2@oulartns.com

Under the Children First Act 2015 Relevant Person means a person who is appointed by a provider of a relevant service to be the first point of contact in respect of the Child Safeguarding Statement. This person is nominated by the board of management to manage and provide oversight of child protection concerns/allegations of child abuse.

Name of Chairperson of the board of management, or in an ETB school the Chief Executive or their delegate:

Mrs. Kathryn O’Dowd

In the event that both DLP and DDLP are absent and unavailable, and where there is no staff member formally acting in their role, the chairperson of the board of management, or in an ETB school the chief executive or their delegate, assumes the role of DLP.

The board of management recognises that child protection and safeguarding permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all of the school's policies, procedures, practices and activities. In all of these, 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 happening to children and protect members of school personnel from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of child abuse.

☐     Develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children.

☐     Fully respect confidentiality requirements as set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 in dealing with child protection matters.

☐     Adhere to the above principles in relation to any vulnerable adult.

Procedures and Measures in Place

Our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance 2017, and Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, 2nd ed. (Tusla, 2024), and the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:

> Procedure for the Management of Allegations of Abuse or Misconduct against School Personnel Relating to a Child Availing of Our Service

~ Where any member of school personnel is the subject of any investigation in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in relation to a child attending the school, the school is required to adhere to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for school staff which are published on the gov.ie website. 

> Procedure for the Safe Recruitment and Selection of School Personnel to Work With Children

~ The school is required to adhere to the requirements of the Vetting Act. The selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, requires the school to adhere 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 Department of Education and Youth and available on the gov.ie website and as outlined in Chapter 10 of the procedures.

~ A written protocol is in place authorising immediate action for cases which require an employee to be immediately absented from school for child safeguarding reasons.

> Procedure for Provision of and Access to Child Safeguarding Training and Information, Including the Identification of the Occurrence of Harm

~ The school provides information and training to members of school personnel in relation to the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act) as follows:

~ The school has provided each member of school personnel, including any new members of school personnel, (employees and volunteers, board of management members, student teachers and those on work experience) with a copy of the school's Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.

~ The school ensures that members of school personnel have availed of relevant training and completed child protection training.

~ The school encourages board of management members to avail of any relevant training and complete child protection training.

~ The board of management ensures that records of all staff and board member child protection training are maintained.

> Procedure for the Reporting of Child Protection or Welfare Concerns to Tusla

~ All members of school personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, in relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla. Mandated reporting applies to all registered teachers and any other mandated person who may be employed by the school, for example a chaplain or nurse. A full list of those people who are mandated persons is set out in Appendix 1 procedures.

> Procedure for Maintaining a List of the Persons (if any) in the Relevant Service Who Are Mandated Persons

~ There is a procedure in place to maintain a list of mandated persons. Schools may on occasion employ additional staff who are mandated by virtue of their profession. This list will include all registered teachers and identify additional employees that are not registered teachers.

> Procedure for Appointing a Relevant Person (In schools this person is the DLP)

~ There is a procedure in place for appointing a relevant person.

The various procedures referred to in this Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment can be accessed via the school's website, the gov.ie website or will be made available on request by the school.

In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Addendum to Children First 2019 and 2025, and the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, the board of management 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 included with the Child Safeguarding Statement.

Note: The procedures and measures in place outlined above, are not intended as exhaustive list. Individual boards of management shall also include in this section such other procedures and measures that are of relevance to the school.

This statement has been published on the school's website or will be made available on request by the school. It has been provided to all members of school personnel, the parents' association (if any), the patron and parents. A copy of this statement and risk assessment will be made available to Tusla and the department if requested.

This Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment will be reviewed annually or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this statement refers.

Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

List of School Activities

Risks Identified Against Each School Activity

Procedures/Measures in place to Mitigate Risk

1.

Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils

• 
  Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in school.

• Risk of harm from other children/ pupils.

• Risk of harm to children with parents/adults remaining in the school yard when dropping children in, in the mornings.

• 
  Children are allowed to enter the school building between 8:50 and 9:00am and there is appropriate supervision of children from 8:50 am once they enter the school building.

• Children are closely supervised during yard, assembly, dismissal and breaks and in respect of specific areas such as toilets, changing rooms etc.

• When dismissing children, class teachers walk their own class to the exit gates.  Bus children are checked in on the bus.

• Junior/Senior Infants are sent out by class teachers to parents/guardians. 

• Morning supervision is carried out between 8:50 and 9:00. One teacher and all SNAs are on duty. 

• Mrs. Byrne, Ms. Griffin or the most senior teacher stands outside the school gates at the end of day.

• Older children are allowed to walk or cycle home if parents have told them so.

2.

Recreation breaks for pupils

• 
  Risk of child being harmed in school by another child

• 
  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. 

• Code of Behaviour and Anti-bullying policy in place.

• Teachers use yard books when on duty

3.

Classroom teaching (Supervision)

• 
  Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in school

• 
  We use conflict resolution, positive reinforcement.

• SNAs monitor children for whom we have concerns and programmes are in place.

• Zones are established for each class group 

• On wet days: (Supervised in classrooms)

4.

Classroom teaching 

• 
  Risk of child being harmed in school by 

member of school personnel

• Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  All school personnel are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and risk assessment.

• The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023) are made available to all school personnel, as a staff these are discussed annually.

• Garda vetting/statutory declaration forms are on file from all staff.  Substitutes complete forms of undertaking on each visit.

• CPD for staff at beginning of school year

• School Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023) and all registered teaching staff are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015.

• If a teacher needs to leave their classroom briefly, they knock on the door of the class adjacent to them and inform the teacher, door is left open he/she will also supervise their class.

5.

One-to-one teaching

• 
  Risk of harm in one-to-one teaching / coaching situation

• Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult

• 
  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 (revised 2023) are made available to all school personnel 

• School Personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023) and all registered teaching staff are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015 

• All staff are encouraged to report any concerns to DLP immediately.

• All doors have glass panels.

• Use of spaces where all can be seen is maximised.

• Staff member sits at the opposite side of the desk to the pupil if in a 1:1 situation and leaves the door open, if possible.

6.

Outdoor teaching activities

• 
  Risk of harm to child if he/she exits the school grounds without permission

• Risk of harm to child by adult approaching them at the school gates/wall onto the road

• 
  School gates are kept closed. Children are reminded regularly to stay away from gates, not allowed on the road to get the balls, not allowed to leave class without permission  etc

• Code of Behaviour and supervision policy. 

• Children are reminded of rules regularly and expected behaviour prior to leaving the classroom. If a child leaves the classroom/school without permission, the class teacher asks the next door teacher to supervise class, 2 staff if possible follow the child and calmly negotiate getting them back. Parents are contacted as soon as possible.

• Teachers on the yard will make contact with any person talking to the child/children to find out who they are and report any concerns to DLP as soon as possible.

• Teachers will strive to wear hi-visibility vests when walking on the roads.

7.

Sporting Activities.

• 
  Risk of someone entering the changing rooms

• Risk of child not being collected on time and teacher and child may be the only ones left

• Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care

• 
  As far as possible male teachers will supervise boys' dressing rooms when they are getting changed.

• Female teachers will supervise girls dressing room when they are getting changed  

• Teacher will ask the teacher from another school /another parent to wait and if this is not possible, he/she will strive to stand in an open public area with the child and try to contact the parent.

• First aid Policy and Procedure on intimate care in place. Care will be provided with 2 staff members present. If the injury occurs in an area that would make a child or staff member feel uncomfortable an ice pack will be provided for the child to use, Parents may be contacted to deal with it.

8.

School outings

• 
  Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while the child is participating in out of school activities e.g. school trip.

• Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities

• 
  The school has in place a policy and clear procedures in respect of school outings/tours

• Children/ adult ratio is 15:1.

• Code of Behaviour anti-bullying policy in place.

• Teachers will ensure there is adequate supervision as per tours policy.

• When booking school tours teachers will seek confirmation that  staff at  venues are Garda vetted 

9.

Use of toilet/changing area in school

• 
  Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation.

• 
  Windows are frosted from classrooms looking into the drama space where the boys get changed.

• Girls and boys change in different areas. Relevant teachers monitor when their classes are changing. 

10.

Annual Sports Day.

• 
  Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  2 staff involved in intimate care. Clear procedure in place and agreed with parents for those with intimate care needs.

• Teachers supervise the children throughout the day.

11.

Fundraising events involving pupils 

• 
  Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities

• 
  Only those with Garda clearance will be invited in to assist but teachers will lead the supervision/lessons

• Concerns will be reported immediately to DLP

12

Use of off-site facilities for school activities

• 
  Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities.

• 
  All regular volunteers and members of the PA and BOM will be garda vetted. If events take place outside school hours such as field days, Easter egg hunt, parents will be required to supervise their own children.

• Adequate supervision as per supervision and school tours policy. Code of Behaviour and Bí Cineálta policies in place

• When going to the hall/GAA pitch for P.E. class teachers will have a phone and can phone school if support is required.

• At least two adults will travel with the class.

13.

School transport arrangements

• 
  Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  Bus drivers are Garda Vetted by CIE

• Parents are constantly reminded that Garda Vetting is needed when providing lifts to matches etc… and this is sought.

• Parents are required to take responsibility for organising lifts for their own children

14.

Care of children with special educational needs, including intimate care where needed

• 
  Risk of a child being harmed in school by a member of school personnel.

• Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities.

• Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care

• 
  The school has a Special Educational Needs Policy. 

• The school has an intimate care plan in respect of students who require such care. 

• All staff are garda vetted and aware of procedures.

• 2 staff involved in intimate care. Close supervision by the class teacher.

• Bí Cineálta / Code of Behaviour Child Protection training done by all staff.

• Parents are aware of where to access Stay Safe and RSE lessons so they can reinforce the same at home.

15.

Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint

• 
  Risk of child being harmed in school by another child

• 
  The school has in place a Code of Behaviour/Bí Cineálta policy for all pupils

• Friendship anti-bullying weeks are held yearly. 

• Health and Safety Policy in Place. 

• School Support Plans and Behavioural contracts put in place if required.

• We use conflict resolution to help children understand the consequences of their actions.

• NEPS/SESS advice sought if needed. Training  for staff by NEPS August 2022

16.

Administration of Medicine

• 
  Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving administration of medication

• 
  The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication to pupils. CPD provided at the beginning of the school year.

• Photos and information is available in the staffroom of those requiring medication. Parents are asked to complete indemnity forms for BOM

(SEE HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT).

17.

Administration of First Aid

• 
  Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving first aid.

• 
  The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of First Aid. Another child is sent in with the child. Teachers/Secretary can ask a 2nd staff member to observe when dealing with first aid issues.

• Certain staff trained in use of buccal midazolam and as First Aid Responder.

• Training provided in First Response August 2022.

• First Aid- first aid PowerPoint in teachers1@oulartns.com  drive First Aid point and resources on shelf in staffroom

18.

Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe

• 
  Risk of harm of not teaching these.

• 
  The school implements in full the Stay Safe Programme 

• The school implements in full the SPHE curriculum.

• The school has a Bí Cineálta Policy which fully adheres to the requirements of the Department’s Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post Primary Schools (June 2024)

• The school has updated its SPHE Policy and the RSE policies.

19.

Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils.

• 
  Risk of harm due to bullying of a child

• 
  The school has in place a code of behaviour and Bí Cineálta policy for pupils

• Anti-bullying Weeks- yearly

• Friendship Week. 

• Policies and procedures are revised with staff annually.

20.

Training of school personnel in child protection matters

• 
  Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel

• Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by school personnel

• 
  All school personnel have had training in relation to procedures and practices laid out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023).

• Staff completed / updated Tusla Children First E-learning Programme and have had CPD on the procedures to follow in relation to Child Protection (August 2026)

• Staff consulted , training, discussion, revision and updating of  CSS statement takes place at beginning of school year

21

Use of external personnel to support sports and other extra- curricular  activities-

• 
  Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child is participating in out of school activities e.g. school trip

• 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.

• 
  The school has in place procedures for the use of external sports coaches. Children will be supervised by class teachers.

• All GAA coaches / other external coaches are required to complete vetting for through the school before they start in school.

• Teachers are present when visitors are in their class.

• Child Safety Statement will be sought from all organisations and confirmation that employees are Garda vetted. 

• Tours policy will be followed.

• Teachers will model professional behaviour and immediately report to DLP any concerns.

22.

Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/ needs such as  

• Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants

• Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children

• Pupils perceived to be LGBT

• Pupils of minority religious faiths

• Children in care

• 
  Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities.

• 
  The school has a Special Educational Needs policy, Bí Cineálta and Code of Behaviour policies in place.

• Staff model respectful, inclusive  behaviour towards all

23.

Recruitment of school personnel including:

• Teachers/SNA’s

• Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaner

• Sports coaches

• External Tutors/Guest Speakers 

• Volunteers/Parents in school activities

• Visitors/contractors present in school during school hours 

• Visitors/contractors present during after school activities

• 
  

• Risk of child being harmed in school by staff member, volunteer or visitor to the school.

Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult

• 
  The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation and relevant DES circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting 

• The school adheres to the Fitness to Practice and Code of Conduct for teachers by the Teaching Council.

• The school complies with the agreed disciplinary procedures for teaching staff 

• The school has in place procedures for the use of external sports coaches

• Supervision policy is in place.

• The school ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement. 

• The school encourage staff to avail of relevant training

• The school encourages BOM members avail of relevant training

• Maintains records of all staff and board member training

24

Participation by pupils in religious ceremonies.

• 
  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.

• 
  

• 
  The school has in place a policy and clear procedures in respect of school outings/tours

• Class teachers accompany pupils to church for practices when preparing for religious ceremonies.

• Altar servers must have signed consent  from parents to assist at funeral services

• Servers are accompanied to the church by secretary

• Permission will be sought from the server’s parents/guardians to allow them to walk back to school themselves (as a group), if there is no parent available to walk them back.

• Non-practicing Catholic children either come to the church (with work provided) for practices / services or are collected by their parents and returned to school after the event.

25

Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school

• 
  Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school.

• Risk of harm caused by member of school accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital devices or other manner.

• Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel communicating with pupils inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other manner

• 
  The school has in place an ICT policy in respect of usage of ICT by pupils.

• The school has reference to use of mobile phones policy via the Code of Behaviour.

• Internet Safety talk for pupils and the parents every two years. 

• Children in the senior end do the Webwise and FUSE programmes every year.

• Forbidden and school personnel would be subject to disciplinary procedures if same was found to occur 

• School personnel do not communicate with individual pupils via personal phones, social media etc.

26

Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including reflection of pupils, confiscation of phones etc

• 
  Risk of harm to child by school personnel during reflection time

• Risk of harm to pupils not having a phone outside of school to contact parents.

• 
  The school has in place a Code of Behaviour for all pupils

• Children are in the GP room or room with a glass window during detention/reflection, teachers observe them from the staff room through a glass panel, and the secretary can also keep the door open and sees them from her office. 

• If a pupil brings a phone to school they must hand it into the office in the morning and it will be returned to them at the end of the day. Staff will be supervising and have access to parents' phone numbers.

27

Students participating in work experience in the school

• 
  Risk of child being harmed in school by volunteer or visitor to the school.

• Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  The school has in place a  procedures in respect of student teacher, work experience and  those on PA assisting with or being involved in school activities

• Students on work experience will work with children with teacher supervision.

• Transition year Students will be expected to wear their school uniforms when on work experience, if possible and to adhere to the school rules.

• Under 16’s won’t be allowed as they can’t be garda vetted- only allowed after garda vetting has been cleared.

• If possible only 2 will be allowed on work experience at one time.

28

Student teachers undertaking training placement in school.

• 
  Risk of child being harmed in school by volunteer or visitor.

• Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  The school has in place procedures in respect of student teachers, work experience and those of PA assisting / being involved in school activities. 

• All regular volunteers and work experience students will have to provide evidence of garda vetting. 

• Student teachers will be supervised by class teachers.

29

Use of video/photography/other media to record school events

• 
  Risk of harm caused by members of school personnel communicating with pupils in inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital devices.

• Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  The school has reference to use of mobile phones policy via the Code of Behaviour. 

• Only a first name or picture provided on the school website, never both.

• If teachers use personal phone to take photos etc, they will delete them once uploaded to the school website/Facebook account.

• Parents /guardians etc. will be reminded not to post photos of other parents’ children on social media, without the permission of the parents. Staff or parents won’t record children. Professional videos will be taken only by those vetted.

30

After school Clubs such as music / homework club organised by teachers

• 
  Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between child and another child or adult.

• 
  The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation and relevant DES circulars in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting. At

 least 1 teacher and 2 staff in the building.

31

Swimming

• 
  Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while child is participating in out of school activities e.g. school trip, swimming lessons -  The pool is booked but the changing rooms are public areas meaning people using the gym can enter the changing rooms while pupils are getting changed

• Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out of school activities.

• 
  Male teachers, if possible, will supervise the boys’ changing rooms, and female teachers will supervise girls’ changing rooms. 

• Any parents assisting with supervision have to be garda vetted prior to going to swimming lessons.

• School Tours, Code of Behaviour and Bí Cineálta Policy in place.

32

Monitoring Attendance

• 
  Risk of harm to pupil by parents through lateness/poor attendance

• 
  The school has a Statement of Strategy as part of its Admissions & Participation Policy

33

Critical Incident

• 
  Risk of harm to pupil by a traumatic event

• 
  The school has a Critical Incident Policy  

• The school has in place a Critical Incident Management Plan

34

Virtual meetings because of school closures.

• 
  Risk of harm as children /staff are not in the classroom setting.

The following rules are in place for remote learning:

• All people involved in the meeting will conduct themselves in a similar manner that would be expected in a regular class. 

• Those at the meeting must dress appropriately

• Pick a room that is not a bedroom.

• Behave as if you are in a classroom

• Do not use chat

• No food allowed during the meeting.

• The staff member has the right to end the meeting for any person being disruptive from a synchronous lesson. 

• A family member is expected to be close by when a pupil is engaging in a meeting. They should monitor all online interactions from the pupil.

• Staff will not meet any child alone using an online meeting. If there is a need for a meeting between a child with a staff member, another adult must be present at the meeting and/or the meeting must be recorded. 

• While chat may be available in an online meeting, it is the responsibility of the child’s family to ensure that any interaction is appropriate. Any interaction from a pupil or a parent/guardian   that could be deemed as inappropriate may result in the child’s removal from the lesson or, where appropriate, a referral to Child Protection services.

• Parents/Guardians can   choose if they wish their child to attend particular online classes/assemblies for that class.

• If the school is open for pupils there will be no availability of live lessons for those at home.

• Remote teaching policy communicated with all.

• Aladdin app or www.oulartns.com school domain will be used if possible for any live lessons/interactions.

In accordance with Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 and with the requirements of Chapter 9 of the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, the following is the written Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.

In undertaking this Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment, the board of management 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 Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment was reviewed by the board of management on _________________________________ (most recent review date)

Signed:*

Date:

Chairperson of the board of management

Signed:*

Date:

Principal/Secretary to the board of management

This Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment is expected to be reviewed again in June 2027  (expected review date)

* Document to be printed and signed with original signatures

Appendix  A- Location of copies of the Child Protection Procedures and Children First Guidance

This may be in the form of specifying the online location for the procedures (Department of Education and Youth website www.gov.ie/childprotectionschools and/or the school website), providing a link to the Children First National Guidance 2017 Children_First_National_Guidance_2017.pdf, and stating the number and location of hard copies of these procedures available in the school.

Copies of our Child Protection Procedures and Children First Guidance are available:

• At the main entrance to the school (School policy)

• www.gov.ie/childprotectionschools (

• On our school website https://sites.google.com/oulartns.com/scoilmochua/home 

• Prominently displayed in each teaching area.

• In the principal’s office.