CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
Bunscoil Sancta Maria Synge Street is a primary school providing primary education to pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.
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 Board of Management of Bunscoil Sancta Maria Synge St has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement 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 Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Ms Victoria McQuaid
The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Ms Niamh McCumiskey
(Deputy Principal)
The Board of Management recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of 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 school will:
The school will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult pupil with a special vulnerability.
Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment
(of any potential harm)
List of School Activities | Risk Level | The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
|
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment |
Training of school personnel in Child Protection matters | High | Harm not recognised or reported promptly | Child Safeguarding Statement & DES procedures made available to all staff
DLP& DDLP to attend PDST face to face training All Staff to view Tusla training module & any other online training offered by PDST
BOM records all records of staff and board training |
One to one teaching | Med | Harm by school personnel | School has policy in place for one to one teaching
Open doors Table between teacher and pupil Glass in window to see through |
Care of children with special needs, including intimate care needs | High | Harm by school personnel | SNA to wait at door when child using the toilet. SNA to be visible at all times. |
Toilet areas | High | Inappropriate behaviour | Usage monitored by staff, only 1 child to go at a time
Supervision by SNA when required |
Curricular Provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay safe. | Med | Non-teaching of same | School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in full |
Managing of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint | Low | Injury to pupils and staff | Health & Safety Policy
Code Of Positive Behaviour Anti-Bullying Policy |
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils | Med | Harm from other pupils
Traffic on street |
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Supervision by class teachers at door Health & Safety Policy |
List of School Activities | Risk Level | The School has identified the following Risk of Harm
|
The School has the following Procedures in place to address risk identified in this assessment |
Recreation breaks for pupils | Med | Injury to pupils/Bullying
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported |
Policy & Procedures in place
Health & Safety Policy Code Of Positive Behaviour Pupil –Staff Ratio
|
Classroom teaching | Low | Harm by school personnel | Code Of Positive Behaviour |
Outdoor teaching activities
|
Low | Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported | Code Of Positive Behaviour
Pupil-Staff Ratio |
Sporting Activities:
Hurling, Cricket, Boxing
|
Med | Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported | Code Of Positive Behaviour
Pupil-Staff Ratio First Aid Training and Kit Whole Staff Defibrillator Training |
After School Clubs | Med | Harm to pupils | Code of Positive Behaviour
Pupil-Staff Ratio First Aid Training and Kit Whole Staff Defibrillator Training |
School Completion Activities
Cooking, sewing, |
Med | Harm to pupils, burns etc | Code of Positive Behaviour
Open Doors Pupil – Staff Ratio Glass in door to look through |
Music | Med | Harm to pupils | School has policy in place for one to one teaching
Open doors Table between teacher and pupil Glass in window Code of Positive Behaviour |
Play Therapy | Med | Harm to pupils | Garda Vetting
Glass in door Parental Consent |
Sports Coaches | Med | Harm to pupils | Garda Vetting
Child Safeguarding Statement Teacher always present |
Students participating in work experience | Low | Harm by student | Child Safeguarding Statement.
Garda Vetting Teacher always present |
Educational Trips/Matches
|
Med | Injury to pupils
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported |
Code of Positive Behaviour
Pupil-Staff Ratio increased Presence of SNA Mobile phones |
Changing for sport activities | Med | Harm to pupils | Children wear tracksuits to school for sport
Swimming has been relocated to Swan Centre Rathmines for their individual changing rooms. Pupil-Staff Ratio |
Annual Sports Day
|
Med | Injury to pupils
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported |
Health and Safety Policy
First Aid Administration Code of Positive Behaviour Pupil-Staff Ratio
|
Use of off-site facilities for school activities
|
Med | Injury to pupils
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported |
Educational Trips Policy
Code of Positive Behaviour Pupil-Staff Ratio |
School transport arrangements including use of bus escorts
|
Med | Harm to pupils
Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported |
Code of Positive Behaviour
Pupil-Staff Ratio |
Volunteers/Parents | Med | Harm to pupils | Garda Vetting Procedures
Class Teacher present HSCL Teacher present |
Administration of First Aid | Low | Harm to pupils | Signed consent by parents |
Administration of Medicine
|
Low | Harm to pupils | Signed consent by parents |
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
|
Med | Bullying
Harm to pupils |
Anti-Bullying Policy
Code of Positive Behaviour |
Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school
|
High | Bullying
Staff not following policies & procedures |
ICT policy
Anti-Bullying Policy Code of Positive Behaviour |
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school
|
Med | Harm to pupils | Garda Vetting
Teacher always present |
Use of video/photography/other media to record school events
|
Med | Harm to pupils | ICT policy
Signed consent from parents |
No hot drinks carried throughout the school | High | Harm to pupils | Health and Safety Policy |
Tine to Read and Time to Count Volunteers | Med | Harm to Pupils | Garda Vetting
Parental Consent Big numbers and door open
|
Campaí Samhraidh
School Completion Camps School Based July Provision
|
Medium | Harm to pupils | Garda Vetting
Parental Consent Child Protection Policy Health & Safety Policy Anti-Bullying Policy Critical Incident Policy Healthy Eating Policy
|
Spread of Covid 19
Control Measures |
Medium | Harm to pupils
Staff and whole school community |
Response Plan
Consult with staff Inform all staff of safety measures Training for staff Posters in school Promote safe practices Provide regular information about risk of Covid 19 Provide PPE training if necessary Advise parents not to bring child to school if displaying symptoms, identified as close contacts or have Covid 19 Ensure pupils are aware that is they develop symptoms in school they let the teacher know immediately Up to date contact list with parents No employee is to attend if they display symptoms and must get a test. Staff who contract covid must not return to school until instructed by HSE HSE LIVE Phone 1850 241850
|
Spread of Covid 19
Hand Hygiene |
Medium | Pupils, Staff, Visitors | Everyone to use hand sanitiser at every entrance point, this may need to be supervised.
Develop whole school understanding of why hand hygiene is important No congregations at wash hand basins Wash hand basins, liquid soaps dispensers and hand drying facilities will be provided in all toilets, kitchens and food preparation areas Cleaning staff to replenish hand soaps and sanitiser Hand washing posters to be displayed in toilets Warm running water will be provided If there is a reaction to the sanitiser staff and pupils can bring their own Soap and water must be used if hands are visibly soiled Hand sanitiser to be used when hands are not visibly soiled Frequency of hand hygiene: · Arrival at school · Before eating or drinking · After using the toilet · After petting animals · After playing outdoors · When hands are dirty · When they cough or sneeze Staff and pupils will learn how to perform hand hygiene with an effective technique
|
Covid 19
Respiratory Etiquette
|
Medium | Pupils, Parents, Visitors, Staff | Coughing/sneezing etiquette will be explicitly taught
All staff and pupils must cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing into the crook of their elbow Tissues will be provided Used tissues will be disposed in bin and hands washed after PPE will be used by staff as appropriate; face masks and/or shields PPE must be worn by all staff at all times Reduce the need to physically touch common objects
|
Covid 19
Physical Distancing |
Medium | Pupils, Parents, Visitors, Staff | Currently key control in reducing the spread
Adhere to relevant social distancing rules Start and finish times to be staggered Break and Lunch times staggered Appropriate signage displayed No hand shaking Online staff meetings if necessary Online BOM Meetings
|
Covid 19
Hygiene and Cleaning |
Medium | Pupils, Parents, Staff | All cleaning will be in line with DES guidelines
All teachers are to wash classroom tables, chairs, door knobs and disinfect them daily. Waste Bins are to be emptied daily Floors mopped daily by cleaner Toilets and wash hand basins cleaned daily
Following a suspected or Confirmed Covid 19 Case · Area to be cleaned with disinfectant · Area to be kept closed for 72 hours if possible · Cleaners wear mask and gloves when cleaning · Rubbish will be double bagged · All surfaces that the symptomatic person came into contact with must be cleaned using detergents and disinfected · Any items that have been heavily contaminated and cannot be cleaned will be disposed of.
|
Covid 19
Travel to and from work
|
Medium | Staff | Car parking will be provide to all staff to discourage use of public transport
Where possible staff should walk, cycle or travel to work on their own |
Covid 19
Arrival and Dismissal |
Medium | Pupils, parents and staff | Staggered opening and closing times
Children who gather on yard are to remain in their class bubble, line up in their pod and walk to and from the class accordingly No adults, other than staff members are to be in the building Parents can talk to teacher on phone or in emergency request a meeting There will be limited interaction on arrival ad dismissal and in corridors.
|
Covid 19
Visitors to the school |
Medium | Visitors, parents, dentists | Make a prior appointment
Follow the agreed Covid 19 protocols Sanitise before entering the premises Complete a visitors contact log sheet Wear a mask Adhere to social distancing Not to loiter Deliveries to be left at front door Prior notice to be given if collecting a child early
|
Covid 19
Classrooms |
Medium | Staff and Pupils | Limit interaction within classrooms
Children and teachers will work in class bubbles Classroom space is reconfigured to maximise physical distancing Junior Infants to 2nd Class – no requirement to physical distance Third – Sixth Class; Maximum of 6 children per pod and as far as possible pods will be at least 1 metre distance away All unnecessary furniture will be removed from the classrooms Rooms to ventilated by opening window and doors as much as possible |
Covid 19
Staffroom |
Medium | Staff | Distance of 2 metre recommended for physical distancing by staff
Staggered breaks Sanitise before entry No sharing of cups or utensils Every item to be washed in dishwasher Dishwasher emptied in rota
|
Covid 19
Special Educational Needs |
Medium | Staff, pupils | Staff members can rotate between areas and classes but this will be minimised where possible
Learning support will be a blended approach of in-class and withdrawal Teachers desk should be placed at least 1 metre apart from pupils desk To the greatest extent possible, pupils and teaching staff should be in the same class bubbles Room ventilation |
Covid 19
Yard Supervision |
Low | Staff, pupils | DES guidelines state that the risk of virus transmission form outside surfaces is low.
It is not possible to maintain physical distancing when primary school children play outdoors but children will be kept in their class bubble Classes will be given a dedicated space and there will be space between each class as they walk to and from the yard |
Covid 19
Resources |
Medium | Staff, pupils | Pupils and teachers should avoid sharing of personal items such as pens and pencils
Sharing educational equipment between pods should be avoided Toys are to be cleaned on a regular bases Sports equipment is to be cleaned and disinfected after usage by the class teacher Musical instruments will not be used or shared until further notice
|
Dealing with a suspected case of Covid 19 | Serious | Pupils and staff | Pupil – If a pupil displays symptoms of Covid 19 the following procedures will be implements;
Teacher will ring secretary and or principal Parents will be contacted immediately Child will be accompanied to designated isolated area by the principal or LWR Staff member will remain 2 metres away Masks will be worn If parent cannot collect child then principal will call 999 or 112
Staff – All steps as above.
If a staff member becomes unwell quickly with symptoms of Covid 19 and cannot make their own way home then a family member will be called or 999. |
Important Note: It should be noted that risk in the context of this risk assessment is the risk of “harm” as defined in the Children First Act 2015 and not general health and safety risk. The definition of harm is set out in Chapter 4 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post- Primary Schools 2017
In undertaking this 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 risk assessment has been read and adopted by the staff and Board of Management of Bunscoil Sancta Maria Synge Street on 12/10/2022
It will be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.
Signed Fíona Uí Uiginn Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed Victoria McQuaid Principal
Child Safeguarding Statement 2022