Child Protection
Child Protection
Embedded Files
Children First Act 2015 and Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017
Children First Act 2015 and Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017
On 11 December 2017 the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs commenced the remaining provisions of the Children First Act, 2015. The Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 published on 2 October 2017 also became operational on 11 December 2017.
The Children First Act, 2015 provides for a number of key child protection measures that are relevant to schools, as follows:
A requirement on organisations provided services to children, which includes all schools, to keep children safe and to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement;
A requirement on defined categories of persons (mandated persons), which includes registered teachers, to report child protection concerns over a defined threshold to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla);
A requirement on mandated persons which includes registered teachers, to assist Tusla in the assessment of a child protection risk, if so requested to do so by Tusla.
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Click on the image above to view this document.
Child Protection Procedures for Schools
Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 have been developed and published. The purpose of the procedures is to give clear direction and guidance to school authorities and to school personnel in relation to meeting the statutory obligations under the Children First Act, 2015 and in the continued implementation within the school setting of the best practice guidance set out in the updated Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017.
The procedures apply to all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to all members of school personnel.
Further Supports
Further Supports
Online Learning Programmes
As a first step, schools may access the universal online learning programme developed by Túsla which is currently available to schools on www.pdst.ie/childprotection (duration 1.5 hours).
Two further online learning programmes were designed by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and comprise the following:
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Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools
This 1.5 hours webinar for all school personnel will look at:
Legislation for child protection
Roles of mandated persons and DLP
How to report and record
How to handle a disclosure
Risk Assessment and the Development of Child Safeguarding Statement
This webinar is focused explicitly on supporting Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLPs) with a view to preparing a Risk Assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement by 11 March, 2018 and using the templates provided by the Department of Education.
Resources
The Stay Safe Programme
The Stay Safe programme is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. The aim of the programme is to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of personal safety education for children and training for teachers, school management boards and parents. It is developmentally structured to enable primary school teachers to deliver an abuse prevention education that addresses personal safety issues such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as bullying and stranger danger.
The importance of building confidence and self esteem and developing assertiveness and strong clear communication is emphasised throughout the programme. Children are taught that it is not their fault if they are bullied or abused.
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Click on the image above to view this resource.
In line with the Primary SPHE curriculum, much of the Stay Safe content is based on process and on establishing patterns of behaviour. Throughout the programme approaches and methodologies such as class/group discussion, active learning, circle work, role play, collaborative learning, problem solving, skills through content, cooperative games, drama and art work, are utilised to encourage pupil engagement and to promote learning.
All primary schools are required to fully implement the Stay Safe programme (Department of Education circular 65/ 2011) within the context of the Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum. The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (2017) state “It is the responsibility of all schools to contribute to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through curricular provision. In that context the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum for all students in primary schools.
The Stay Safe programme should be taught in its entirety over one school year. Each topic builds on the learning from the previous topic. Teachers should therefore ensure that topics are taught consecutively, beginning with Topic 1 and working through to Topic 5. Ideally schools should work through the programme in one block as it is more effective. Many schools plan their SPHE programme of work to ensure that all classes are doing the programme at the same time.
The revised Stay Safe Programme, along with supplementary materials, is available to access, download and purchase from https://www.pdst.ie/staysafe.
Additional supports and resources can be found on www.pdst.ie/childprotection
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