Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment

Child safeguarding risk assessment: activities, risks of harm and procedures in place
List of school activities	The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its activities	The school has the following procedures in place to address the risk identified in this assessment
Training of school personnel in Child Protection matters	Harm not recognised or reported promptly	Child Safeguarding Statement, DES procedures and Reporting Templates made available to all staff in yellow folders in each room throughout the school and copies to all school transport providers and bus escorts. DLP& DDLP to attend PDST face to face training All Staff to view Túsla training module & any other online training offered by PDST. BOM records all records of staff and board training Child Protection on Agenda at all BOM meetings and Oversight Report given by the Principal at the meeting Child Protection on the Agenda at Staff Meetings for clarification and updates
Classroom Teaching	Harm by school personnel Harm by school students Physical abuse, Bullying	Teacher planning and preparation Classroom Management Staff supervision of students at all times Awareness that other staff members can/will enter the room at any time. Glass in door of classrooms to allow other school staff to look in and check what adults and staff are doing Code of Behaviour policy Teaching Council Code of Practice Teaching of SPHE & RSE programmes Stay Safe Programme covered annually and regularly
One to one teaching/activities	Harm by school personnel Harm by school students	1:1 working with students is limited and only when absolutely necessary Open doors and glass in Resource room and shared areas Intimate care policy Open plan teaching Areas glass doors and windows so passersby can see into the rooms Glass in window of doors not covered Easy access to room by other members of staff Table between teacher and pupil Teacher or other staff members to be informed or made aware that a child is having a 1:1 session Teaching Council Code of Practice
Care of Children with special needs, including intimate care needs	Harm by school personnel Harm by student	Policy on Intimate Care Other staff to be made aware that the staff member is toileting a pupil. If assistance is required the staff follow the Intimate Care policy. Other staff in the vicinity may check on staff and pupil at any time for child protection reasons One student at a time in the Junior and Middle Area toilets. Supervision of students using toilets from door and other staff made aware SPHE teaching Support from HSE OT (care plan)
Use of toilet/changing/shower areas in school	Inappropriate behaviour Harm by other students Harm by school personnel	Supervision of students by bus escort staff using the toilets before school and others made aware of destination. Escorts stand at the door to the toilets and seen by others. Door kept ajar. Students supervised when they have to come in from the yard to use the toilets. Staff on yard made aware that SNA is accompanying child who is going to the toilets. Staff member stands outside. Students taught how to use the toilets and personal care as part of SPHE Guidance and training given on procedures to new or staff doing a placement in our school School rules on using the toilets taught and reinforced regularly Teaching SPHE, Stay Safe, RSE Two staff members with students using shower, one student in shower area at a time
Curricular Provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay safe.	Non-teaching of same	School implements age/ability appropriate SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in full every year Teacher planning and monthly reports record when sessions covered (student attendance noted) Stay Safe programme signed off by teacher in end of year report
LGBT Children/Pupils perceived to be LGBT	Bullying Harm to students	Anti-Bullying Policy Supervision of students by staff Code of Behaviour Staff training by BeLong, CPD School implements SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe in full every year Meetings with professional agencies working with students
Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils	Harm from older pupils, unknown adults on the playground	Students permitted into school at 9am. Students coming into school before this must be supervised by staff Arrival and dismissal supervised by Teachers, SNA’s and bus escorts. Bus escorts will accompany students into school should they require the toilet before school starts. They will not enter the toilet alone with a child but call on another adult if they need to assist a child in the toilet. Caretaker and staff reporting of unidentified personnel on site & overseeing visitors to the school Pupils to be escorted back to class by specialist teacher and handover given
Managing of challenging behaviour amongst pupils	Injury to pupils Harm to pupil	Supervision of students by staff at all times Behaviour planning by teaching staff, psychologists Ongoing MAPA training for staff No physical restraint as per Behaviour Policy – de-escalation and calming techniques used and resolution after incidents or disagreements Door buzzers to Junior Areas Health & Safety Policy Code Of Behaviour Key pad lock
Sports Coaches	Harm to pupils	School teaching staff always in room/area. Students never left alone with visitors or coaches Vetting of coaches by school as per circular Teacher or PE teacher always present and SNAs when required to support students
Students participating in work experience	Harm by student Harm to pupils	Work experience induction by Principal/Deputy Principal, checks on vetting through college/school Student not to be left alone with pupils or not to be given this responsibility Student shown Child Protection Folder in each classroom and requested to become familiar with it. (Sign-up sheet) Students supervised by teacher Child Safeguarding Statement
Recreation/movement breaks for pupils	Harm to staff Harm to Student	Adequate staffing and dispersal to all areas students are in Glass in doors to allow other staff to look into areas Awareness that staff can enter into areas at anytime Class teacher direction/behaviour plan of supervised walk breaks – with SNA. Movement breaks/walks confined to path around school so can be seen from classrooms. Principal to be made aware of students who have walk breaks. Code of Behaviour
Outdoor teaching activities School Sports/Fun Days Prize giving	Harm to students Harm to staff	Teacher with SNA support to supervise students at all times All students supervised by school staff Students made aware of school rules both in and out of school Code of Behaviour Policy Teaching Council code of practice IEP plans and Behaviour plans in place Parents required to inform staff if they are taking their child home or out of the supervision of staff Grounds checked by Caretaker
Sporting Activities	Harm to students Harm to staff	Teacher present always with SNA support Code of Behaviour
Breakfast club	Harm to students	A teacher on duty Breakfast set out by SNA Health and Safety Policy Supervision and teaching of students using electrical equipment
School outings	Harm from pupils Harm from staff Harm from unknown persons in the community	Class teacher with each class Permission from parents/guardians to attend SNA support with supervision Intimate care policy Vetting for all staff Code of Behaviour Ensure bus driver or others are vetted and not left alone with pupils
School trips involving overnight stay	Harm from pupils Harm from staff Harm from unknown persons in the community	Adequate supervision and teachers always with students Teaching Council Code of Practice Intimate care policy Vetting for all staff Code of Behaviour Stay safe and RSE Education for students Ensure bus driver is vetted and not left alone with pupils Vetting of staff in appropriate overnight accommodation
Fundraising events involving pupils	Harm from pupils Harm from unknown adults	Teacher always with students and SNA’s to supervise and support students Permission from parents/guardians Child Protection Policy Code of Behaviour SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe teaching
Use of off-site facilities for school activities	Harm to student by persons unknown	Class teacher present Teacher and SNA support Code of Behaviour RSE, SPHE, Stay Safe SPHE teaching
Care of any vulnerable adult students, including intimate care where needed	Harm from student Harm by staff member	Teacher supervision Intimate care policy Two staff when intimate care involves adult interaction Other staff made aware two staff members with student
Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils	Harm from adults Harm to child	Code of Behaviour De-escalation approach and resolution for students SPHE teaching for students Stay Safe teaching MAPPA training Behaviour plan SPHE Interventions from support agencies/NEP’s
Administration of Medicine Administration of First Aid	Harm to child	Administration of Medicines policy Medical administration records kept and signed off Always two adults present or overseeing administration of meds Training for staff where necessary First Aid training Manual Handling and Manual Handling moving a person/child
Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe	Student vulnerable to harm	To be taught in January deemed wellness month every year for every student 2018/19 Repeated again and reinforced throughout the year In 2019/2020 Stay Safe topics taught each month and adapted for Senior Students aligned with SPHE
Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils	Harm to student	Specific teaching through SPHE Code of Behaviour Anti bullying Policy Bullying reported to BOM as per circular Friendship programmes and initiatives covered by teaching staff
Training of school personnel in child protection matters	Harm to student Failure of adults to follow procedure	On-line course Tusla regularly undertaken by staff and new staff EPV courses In-service courses
Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum	Harm to student	Teacher planning documents to include planning of materials covered Communication to all school staff of visit – school diary, white board in staff room All staff vetted working with pupils vetted Parents/Guardians to be made aware of visit Course material appropriate to students ability and age overseen by teacher Teaching staff always present and SNA support for students
Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/ needs such as Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants Members of the Traveller community Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children Pupils perceived to be LGBT Pupils of minority religious faiths Children in care Children on CPNS	Harm to student Bullying	School Mission Statement Code of Behaviour Specific and explicit teaching of SPHE Stay Safe and RSE Programmes to be covered with every class, RE programme Anti bullying Policy Supervision of all students by teacher and SNAs at all times
Recruitment of school personnel including – Teachers SNA’s Caretaker/Secretary/Cleaners 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	Harm not recognised or properly or promptly reported	Child Safeguarding Statement, Templates & DES procedures made available to all staff Staff to view Tusla training module & any other online training offered by PDST Vetting Procedures Child Protection to be covered in Staff Meetings and CPD Health and Safety Policy Teacher present and SNA supporting students and assisting with supervision Secretary/Principal/Deputy or staff to greet visitors and take them to classroom or wait at Principal’s office until they can be assisted Notice of visits recorded in school diary and staffroom notice board
Use of school premises by other organisations Tuesday Youth Club Blood Bank Arch Club (Saturday)	Harm to students Harm to staff	Students supervised by school staff throughout the day Authorised or expected visitors to be recorded in diary and on staffroom notice board Visitors greeted by school staff Office staff and Staff to monitor visitors to the school Notice on door requesting visitors to report to office Youth Club leaders on premises before members allowed into the building Caretaker overseeing grounds/parking and Security for morning and evening and when parents/visitors come Staff to stay with visitors Cameras
Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school	Bullying In appropriate use of social media Student harmed	Students to hand up their phones iPads when in school to be locked away ICT policy Filtering of internet access by NCTE Additional in school filtering Anti-Bullying Policy Code of Behaviour Data Protection Direct teaching of Internet Safety to all students Parents permission to show images Adequate firewall and encryption of computers Storage of school iPad’s and laptops in strong room when not in use Students supervised on iPads, computers and laptops
Application of sanctions under the school’s Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.	Bullying Harm to student	Students aware of sanctions and given opportunity to change behaviour Code of Behaviour Phone switched off/locked away Parents permission/consultation if phones kept by staff Area staff made aware of students in detention or in time-out (Records of date and length of timeout kept) Students supervised Care taken by staff that students in detention get time to eat lunch/snack Anti-Bullying Policy
Student teachers undertaking training placement in school	Harm to student	Made aware of DLP and Deputy DLP Access to Child Protection Folders in each room and asked to give an undertaking to make themselves familiar aware of the Not left alone with students Supervised by class teacher or subject teacher College supervision and vetting
Use of video/photography/other media to record school events JCL2 Assessment	In appropriate images Identified or diagnosis identified and at risk – child protection	Data Protection policy Internet safety taught in class/Stay Safe Programme No name or personal information on school photos placed on Twitter/school website or other media Parents/guardians permission School cameras/iPad’s provided
After school use of school premises by other organisations	Bullying Harm to students	Organisations vetted and staff vetting Qualified groups or Parents present Permission from the BOM Caretaker or School Staff present

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 completed by the Board of Management on ____________. It willl be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding Statement.

SignedDate

Chairperson, Board of Management

SignedDate

Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management

Risk Assessment Document (Word, 35 kB)