Department of Education and Science Guidelines and Procedures

1. Department of Education and ScienceGuidelines and Procedures Session 2 PPDS 2008

2. Department of Education and ScienceGuidelines and Procedures Session Aim: To inform teachers about the Department of Education and Science Guidelines and Procedures PPDS 2008

3. Session Objectives • To outline the duties of the DLP in responding to suspicions/allegations of child abuse • To raise awareness of the procedures for handling suspicions/allegations against school staff • To outline the necessity for monitoring and accurate record keeping PPDS 2008

4. Department of Education and ScienceGuidelines and Procedures “…it is incumbent on school authorities and teachers to adhere to these guidelines in dealing with allegations or suspicions of child abuse.” DES 1.1.4 p.5 PPDS 2008

5. Designated Liaison Person (DLP) • Senior staff member … specific responsibility for child protection (2 .2. 1.) • If unavailable … arrangements in place for another nominated member of staff to assume responsibilities (2. 2. 2.) DES Guidelines p.8 PPDS 2008

6. Action to be taken by school personnel • 3.1.1: If a school employee receives an allegation or has a suspicion that a pupil is being abused, the school employee should, in the first instance, report the matter to the DLP in that school. DES Guidelines p.11 PPDS 2008

7. Confidentiality • Give information on ‘need to know basis in the interests of the child’ (1.2.1) Staff? BOM? • It is not the responsibility of school staff to make enquiries of parents or guardians… DES Guidelines p.5-6 PPDS 2008

8. Handling a disclosure from a child • Listen • Do not ask leading questions • Offer reassurance…no promises • Allow child to talk… time • Do not over react • Explain regarding further action • Record, record, record… DES Guidelines (2.4.3), p.9 PPDS 2008

9. Keeping records • Note carefully what they have observed and when they observe it (FACTS ONLY) • Signs of injury should be described in detail, and if appropriate, sketched • Any comment about how an injury occurred should be recorded – quoting words actually used, as soon as possible after the comment has been made • All records - highly confidential and retained in a secure location by the DLP(Signed and dated) DES Guidelines p.10 PPDS 2008

10. How to proceed… • Employee discusses with DLP who keeps record of discussion (2.4.3) • DLP retains all recordsin securelocation(2.5.1) DES Guidelines p.9 • Liaise with Health Service Executive (social worker and others) for advice, record same and always act on advice (3.2.2) DES Guidelines p.11 PPDS 2008

11. How to proceed… If making a report • Inform Chairperson • In emergency report to An Garda Síochána DES Guidelines, 3.2.1, p.11 PPDS 2008

12. Co-operation with parents • Inform parents unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place the child at further risk (1.2.3) • Do not make enquiries (1.2.4) • Adopt a non-judgemental approach • Explain the guidelines/parameters • Record DES Guidelines p.5-6 PPDS 2008

13. Not reporting… • Retain records • Clear statement (in writing) to school employee as to the reason why referral is not being made • Employee free to consult/report to HSE DES Guidelines, 3.2.3, P.12 PPDS 2008

14. Peer abuse • Sexualised behaviour between children should not be ignored • If appropriate, refer to HSE DES Guidelines, 5.1.1, p.19 Children First, Chapter 11, p.105-108 PPDS 2008

15. Peer abuse – Procedures (5.2) • DLP seeks advice • School makes arrangements to minimise recurrence of abusive behaviour • Principal and class teacher meet each child’s parents separately DES Guidelines p.19 PPDS 2008

16. Bullying – Procedures • School management is responsible • Policy must be in place • If serious and/or abusive, consult with HSE DES Guidelines p.20 PPDS 2008

17. Allegation against school employee (Ch.4) • DLP is informed and is responsible for reporting the matter to the HSE • DLP seeks details of allegation in writing (either immediately or subsequently - depends on circumstances) • Inform Chairperson of the Board of Management • Chairperson informs employee privately DES Guidelines p.15 PPDS 2008

18. Allegations against school employee - Procedures • DLP/Chairperson of the Board of Management seeks legal advice (4.1.2) • DLP/Chairperson’s response and course of action is guided by legal advice – having regard to the particular circumstances applicable DES Guidelines p.15 PPDS 2008

19. HSE response Report received – allocated to social worker Preliminary Enquiry/screening process Initial Assessment Case Closed Family Support Child Protection Plan CPNS (Child Protection Notification System) PPDS 2008

20. Child Protection Conferences (CPC) • Multi-agency forum • School employee may be requested to attend through the DLP • DLP consults with Chairperson of BOM • Clarification regarding those attending the CPC may be sought DES Guidelines p.13 PPDS 2008

21. Child Protection Conferences • Substitute will be paid if letter of attendance is sent from HSE • Teacher attending provides a report (sample in Appendix 3 DES Guidelines and Procedures) • School employee may be asked to observe the child DES Guidelines p.13 PPDS 2008

22. What to record • Attendance and punctuality • Appearance, hygiene, care • Physical injury • Child’s behaviour • Child’s language • Child’s drawings, writing, play • Mood changes PPDS 2008

23. Monitoring • Record using pupils registration number • Keep in secure place … Strictly confidential! • Remember to sign and date • Record in chronological order • Include sketches if necessary PPDS 2008

24. PPDS 2008

25. Where to from here ? • Initiate local contacts • Monitoring • Feedback to staff • Access to training – PPDS - CAPP PPDS 2008

26. Remember…. • RECORD! • RECORD! • RECORD! PPDS 2008