Child Protection

We must all play our part to protect children and young people and keep them safe. It is important that families, communities and professionals can recognise when a child or young person has been, is being or is at risk of being harmed and that they know what action to take in response. 

Board of Management

Child Protection is an item on the agenda at every Board of Management meeting which includes a Child Protection Oversight Report by the Principal. A review of our school's Child Safeguarding Statement is carried out at the Board of Management's first meeting each school year. A notification regarding the Board of Management's review of the Child Safeguarding Statement is published after this review.

School Staff

Child Protection is always on the agenda at each of our school's monthly staff meetings. At our first meeting in September, all staff are asked to read the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2023) and Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017) before the Hallowe’en break.

Staff are reminded at each meeting that Child Protection Information Folders are always available to them. These folders are held by Mr Alan Conroy and Mrs Mary Reynolds.

In our school, the following roles are clearly designated, displayed and communicated to our school community.

Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

Mr Alan Conroy 

Principal

Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP)

Mrs Mary Reynolds

Deputy Principal

Assistant Designated Liaison Person (ADLP)

Mrs Orla Noonan

Assistant Principal

Mandated Person

All teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015. Registered teachers, as mandated persons, have two main statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015.

1. to report to Tusla any knowledge, belief or reasonable grounds to suspect that a child

• has been harmed

• is being harmed

• is at risk of being harmed

2. to assist Tusla in assessing a concern, which has been the subject of a mandated report, if requested by Tusla in accordance with the Act.

Concerns should be raised with any of the following staff members:

• • Mr Alan Conroy (DLP)

  • Mrs Mary Reynolds (DDLP)

  • Mrs Orla Noonan (ADLP)

In an emergency situation, or outside of school hours, contact can be made with, or concerns brought to the attention of either:

Duty Social Worker,

Tusla - Child and Family Agency,

Primary Care Centre,

Harbour Road,

Mullingar,

Co. Westmeath, N91 V6R9.

☎️ 044-9353999 

An Garda Síochána,

Edgeworthstown Garda Station,

Granard Road,

Edgeworthstown,

Co. Longford, N39 FF97.

☎️ 043-6671002 

Further information on Child Protection is available at the following two links.

• Citizen's Information

• Department of Education

This page is reviewed and updated in the first half of Term 1 each year.

Last Review: 23rd October 2024