Department of Education and Science Guidelines and Procedures Session 2 PPDS 2008

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

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

Department of Education and Science Guidelines 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

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

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

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

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

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

How to proceed… Employee discusses with DLP who keeps record of discussion (2.4.3) DLP retains all records in secure location (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

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

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

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

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

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 Responsibility of the HSE to establish appropriate treatment programmes if necessary. Refer to 5.2.2 PPDS 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sample record Code Date Observation Signed PPDS 2008

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

Remember…. RECORD! PPDS 2008