Ballyshannon National School. Roll number: 15456E. Charity No: 20124304
CSS1
For:
Ballyshannon National School
At:
Ballyshannon, Kilcullen, Kildare R56FF60
This school is a: (tick appropriate) ☒primary ☐post-primary ☐ special school
In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Addendum to Children First (2019) and 2025, Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 and Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, 2nd ed. (Tusla, 2024), the board of management has adopted the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment 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 Schools 2025 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
Name of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP):
Lorraine McGovern
Name of the Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP/DDLP):
Lisa Sullivan
In the absence of the DLP, the Deputy DLP shall assume responsibilities of the DLP
Name of Relevant Person
Sinéad O’Connor
(In schools this person is the DLP)
Relevant Person can be contacted on:
045485309
ballyshannonprimary@gmail.com
Under the Children First Act 2015 Relevant Person means a person who is appointed by a provider of a relevant service to be the first point of contact in respect of the Child Safeguarding Statement. This person is nominated by the board of management to manage and provide oversight of child protection concerns/allegations of child abuse.
Name of Chairperson of the board of management, or in an ETB school the Chief Executive or their delegate:
Gareth Davies
In the event that both DLP and DDLP are absent and unavailable, and where there is no staff member formally acting in their role, the chairperson of the board of management, or in an ETB school the chief executive or their delegate, assumes the role of DLP.
The board of management recognises that child protection and safeguarding permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all of the school's policies, procedures, practices and activities. In all of these, the school will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare. The school will:
☒Recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations.
☒ Fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children.
☒Fully co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters.
☒Adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of harm happening to children and protect members of school personnel from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of child abuse.
☒Develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children.
☒Fully respect confidentiality requirements as set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 in dealing with child protection matters.
☒Adhere to the above principles in relation to any vulnerable adult.
Our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, the Children First: National Guidance 2017, and Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, 2nd ed. (Tusla, 2024), and the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the following procedures support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our service:
> Procedure for the Management of Allegations of Abuse or Misconduct against School Personnel Relating to a Child Availing of Our Service
~ Where any member of school personnel is the subject of any investigation in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in relation to a child attending the school, the school is required to adhere to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for school staff which are published on the gov.ie website.
> Procedure for the Safe Recruitment and Selection of School Personnel to Work With Children
~ The school is required to adhere to the requirements of the Vetting Act. The selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, requires the school to adhere to the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016, and to the wider duty of care guidance set out in relevant Garda vetting and recruitment circulars published by the Department of Education and Youth and available on the gov.ie website and as outlined in Chapter 10 of the procedures.
~ A written protocol is in place authorising immediate action for cases which require an employee to be immediately absented from school for child safeguarding reasons.
> Procedure for Provision of and Access to Child Safeguarding Training and Information, Including the Identification of the Occurrence of Harm
~ The school provides information and training to members of school personnel in relation to the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act) as follows:
~ The school has provided each member of school personnel, including any new members of school personnel, (employees and volunteers, board of management members, student teachers and those on work experience) with a copy of the school's Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
~ The school ensures that members of school personnel have availed of relevant training and completed child protection training.
~ The school encourages board of management members to avail of any relevant training and complete child protection training.
~ The board of management ensures that records of all staff and board member child protection training are maintained.
> Procedure for the Reporting of Child Protection or Welfare Concerns to Tusla
~ All members of school personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, in relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla. Mandated reporting applies to all registered teachers and any other mandated person who may be employed by the school, for example a chaplain or nurse. A full list of those people who are mandated persons is set out in Appendix 1 procedures.
> Procedure for Maintaining a List of the Persons (if any) in the Relevant Service Who Are Mandated Persons
~ There is a procedure in place to maintain a list of mandated persons. Schools may on occasion employ additional staff who are mandated by virtue of their profession. This list will include all registered teachers and identify additional employees that are not registered teachers.
> Procedure for Appointing a Relevant Person (In schools this person is the DLP)
~ There is a procedure in place for appointing a relevant person.
The various procedures referred to in this Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment can be accessed via the school's website, the gov.ie website or will be made available on request by the school.
In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Addendum to Children First 2019 and 2025, and the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, the board of management carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the school or participating in school activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the school's procedures for managing those risks is included with the Child Safeguarding Statement.
Note: The procedures and measures in place outlined above, are not intended as exhaustive list. Individual boards of management shall also include in this section such other procedures and measures that are of relevance to the school.
This statement has been published on the school's website or will be made available on request by the school. It has been provided to all members of school personnel, the parents' association (if any), the patron and parents. A copy of this statement and risk assessment will be made available to Tusla and the department if requested.
This Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment will be reviewed annually or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this statement refers.
List of School Activities
Risks Identified Against Each School Activity
Procedures/Measures in place to Mitigate Risk
1.
Opening/Closing Times and Break Times
Access to pupils by strangers or other adults.
Risk of harm from other pupils
Risk of harm from a parent/ adult
● Parents to drop child /children at 8.50am – supervision will be in place with teacher on duty
● Adequate supervision at break times
● Teacher walks children to gate at home time.
● Names and contact numbers of adults who have permission to collect each child will be provided by parents at the beginning of each school year and stored in our on-line data base.
● Parents to ring or email school regarding change in normal home time collection routine. If parent does not contact school and an unknown person calls to collect a child, the class teacher will call the parent to confirm the change in routine.
● If an adult appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they are collecting a child from school, they will not be released by the teacher. This will be reported to the DLP or Deputy DLP immediately.
● Children from 3rd to 6th class can walk home from school on their own once written permission has been given to the school in advance.
2.
Attendance, late drop offs, early collection, late collection
Risk of harm due to negligence of attendance policy
Risk of harm by adult
● Late arrivals will be noted on Aladdin. The school discusses punctuality with children if they are regularly late.
● Significant concerns regarding timekeeping are reported to the Education Welfare Officer
● Children’s attendance at school will be monitored with absence notes required for any missed days on Aladdin. Contact will be made with parents in instances of regular absences, with a record of such discussion stored on Aladdin.
● Significant absence will be discussed/ reported to the Education Welfare Officer
Teachers must be informed in advanced if children are to be collected early from school.
3.
Visitors
Visitors lacking awareness of child safety issues.
● Visitors must check in to office or principal's room.
● Visitors are accompanied by a staff member at all times.
● In the case of a visitor carrying out maintenance, teachers will be made aware of their presence and children will not be allowed to be unaccompanied by a teacher or member of staff within their vicinity
● Regular visitors/persons administering external programmes (e.g., GAA, P.A Credit Union and Librarian) through another body will provide the school with a copy of their Garda vetting and any appropriate insurance.
● Children are closely supervised by staff members during all school events in which visitors are invited into the school, e.g., Santa’s visit, Science Week, Engineers Week, Celebration Days, Sports Day etc.
4.
School activities held outside the school grounds, e.g. school tours, swimming lessons, sports events, concerts, etc
Access to pupils by strangers.
Inappropriate activity by pupils.
Dangers posed by unfamiliar environment
● Adequate supervision
● A risk assessment to be carried out before each trip
● Pupils will be closely supervised from one area to another e.g. going to the bathroom, going to and from the bus) and when interacting with staff and/or volunteers from the establishment we are visiting.
● Changing rooms will be closely supervised by staff when in use by children e.g., at swimming lessons and sports events.
● Parent helpers on trips will be informed that pictures may only be taken by staff members.
● Adequate planning and preparation by staff.
School Tour policy followed
5.
Access
Access to pupils by strangers or other adults.
● Front door to be used as the main entrance for visitors.
● Security locks on all doors
● The back door to be used as the main entrance to the school for parents
6.
Swimming Lessons/Sports Events
Potential for unsupervised times in changing areas.
Access to pupils by strangers or other adults.
● Adequate supervision provided.
Trained lifeguards in pool
7.
Social Media
Potential for bullying.
Potential for grooming of pupil
Exposure to inappropriate online content
Risk of harm caused by a member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device
● Mobile use prohibited during the day.
● Use of electronic devices monitored by teachers, e.g., tablets, laptops and cameras
● School internet is monitored for inappropriate content and unsuitable content is blocked.
● In the event of inappropriate content appearing, it will be logged and reported to internet provider
● Anti-Bullying Policy supports our Child Safe Guarding Statement
● Information sessions for pupils, parents and staff.
● Implementation of Stay Safe Programme.
8.
Withdrawal from class or yard
Potential for harm of child by child, member of staff or visitor
Risk due to inadequate supervision
Risk of harm in one- to –one teaching
● Glass panels are installed on doors to learning support room.
● Parents are informed and provide written consent if children are withdrawn for learning support on a regular basis.
● Children who need to use the toilet during break are accompanied by another child.
9.
Lunch
Unhealthy lunch
Insufficient lunch
● Teacher to monitor children’s lunches and ensure that all children have sufficient quantity of healthy food each day.
● If child is not provided with lunch, the school phones parent to bring in lunch. If a parent cannot be contacted the Deputy DLP or DLP are informed and the best possible lunch available will be arranged.
● If insufficient lunch is provided on a regular basis, the class teacher will talk to parent.
● If this situation does not improve the class teacher informs the DDLP or DLP
10.
Data protection
Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel circulating information
● Confidential documents relating to children in the school are stored securely in the school:
Hard copies are stored in locked cabinets in the office
Soft copies are stored on the online database.
Word documents are password protected.
● Documents are shared with staff on a need-to-know basis
● Parental permission for transfer of information (i.e., between school staff, between school and previous/ prospective schools, between school and outside professionals/agencies) is obtained at the beginning of the school year
List of School Activities
Risks Identified Against Each School Activity
Procedures/Measures in place to Mitigate Risk
11.
Children presenting with social. emotional, behavioural or medical needs
Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities
Risk of harm due to inadequate Code of Behaviour
● Concerns relating to social, emotional, behavioural or medical needs are communicated to parents by phone, at collection time or through formal meetings.
● Children are provided with additional support in school through the model of Continuum of Support. This may be in the form of in class support or withdrawal from class. Staff discusses concerns and learning targets with parents and formulate a written plan, signed by the parents. Learning targets are regularly revised to track progress
● The school may recommend onward referral
12.
Storage or publication of photos
Risk of harm caused by member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or other manner
● Written parental permission to take photos is obtained on enrolment.
● Class teachers are made aware of any child in his/ her class who does not have permission to be in school photos.
● Photos taken by staff must be removed from personal devices at the end of the day.
● A school tablet will be used to take photos for the school website/twitter.
● Children's names are not published with photos uploaded to the school website or class blogs.
● Children are not permitted to use electronic devices unless under the supervision of an adult.
Children are not permitted to use camera phones during the school day or school events.
13.
Accidents or injuries
Risk of harm caused by child and poor maintenance of school grounds
Risk of harm to child while receiving care
● Accidents and injuries that occur on the premises shall be managed in accordance with the Accident and Injury Policy
● A copy of this policy will be on the school website
Policy will be discussed with staff every year and with parents at Induction Day,
14.
Daily teaching activities
Inappropriate or harmful contact during classroom interactions
Supervision Policy; Positive Behaviour Policy; SPHE curriculum
15.
Provision for pupils with special educational needs (SEN)
Inappropriate physical contact or neglect during SEN or intimate support
SEN, SNA and Intimate Care Policies; two-adult rule; planned supports
16.
Care of pupils with particular vulnerabilities or additional needs
Heightened vulnerability to abuse or neglect
Individual plans; regular monitoring; DLP notified if concerns arise
17.
SPHE, including RSE and Stay Safe programmes
Failure to recognise or respond to child protection disclosures
Mandated reporting; DLP/DDLP oversight; secure recording of concerns
18.
Arrival and dismissal of pupils, yard breaks and school transport
Supervision gaps; unsafe or unauthorised release of child
Supervised arrival/dismissal; escorted yard movement; verified collection. Collection and Custody and Separation policies
19.
Visitors and volunteers on the school site
Unvetted or unsupervised adults interacting with pupils
Garda vetting; visitor badges; staff accompaniment; sign-in system
20.
Student teachers and other placement students in the school
Inappropriate responsibility placed on unqualified individuals
Vetting; supervised at all times; supported by mentor teacher
21.
Off-site activities, including school tours, swimming lessons and sports fixtures
Reduced supervision; interaction with unknown adults
Written risk assessment; high supervision ratio; staff in changing areas
22.
After-school clubs run on the school premises
Harm from external adults running clubs
Vetting; Hire and Use Policy; direct handover to named adults
23.
Handover of children to a responsible adult at collection time
Child released to unsafe or incorrect adult
Authorised adult lists; phone confirmation when unclear. Collection and Custody and Separation policies
24.
Taking, storage and use of photos and other media of pupils
Online exploitation or unauthorised image sharing
Parental consent; school devices; secure storage; no names published
25.
Withdrawal of children from class or yard
One-to-one situations without supervision
Glass panels; open doors; keep within earshot of other adults
Examples of Activities, Risks and Procedures
The examples listed in this document are provided to assist schools in undertaking their risk assessment under the Children First Act, 2015. Schools should note that this list of examples is not intended to be exhaustive, and that the inclusion of an example of a policy or procedure on these lists does not make it mandatory. It is the responsibility of each school to ensure, as far as possible, that any other risks and procedures that are relevant to its own particular circumstances are identified and specified in the written risk assessment and that adequate procedures are in place to address all risks identified.
It is acknowledged that schools already have in place a range of policies, practices and procedures to mitigate the risk of harm to children while they are participating in the activities of the school and that some school activities will carry low or minimal risks of harm compared to others. In the context of the risk assessment that must be undertaken by schools, the Children First Act, 2015 refers to risk as 'any potential for harm'.
Therefore, it is important that, as part of its risk assessment process, each school lists and reviews all of its various activities (which shall include identifying those that may carry low risk of harm as well as those that carry higher risks of harm). Doing so will help the school to:
> Identify, as required under the Children First Act, 2015, any risks of harm that may exist in respect of the school's activities.
> Identify and assess the adequacy of the various procedures already in place to manage those risks of harm.
> Identify and put in place any such additional procedures as are considered necessary to manage any risk identified.
The Addendum to Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 published in January 2019 clarifies that organisations providing relevant services to children should consider the specific issue of online safety when carrying out their risk assessment and preparing their Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
The Guidance on Continuity of Schooling for primary and post-primary schools (April 2020) advises of the importance of teachers maintaining the safe and ethical use of the internet during distance learning and assisting parents and guardians to be aware of their role also. Schools should ensure that their Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) informs and guides remote or distance learning activity.
1. Daily arrival and dismissal of pupils
2. Recreation breaks for pupils
3. Classroom teaching
4. One-to-one teaching
5. One-to-one learning support
6. One-to-one counselling
7. Outdoor teaching activities
8. Online teaching and learning remotely
9. Sporting activities
10. School outings
11. School trips involving overnight stay
12. School trips involving foreign travel
13. Use of toilet/changing/shower areas in schools
14. Provision of residential facilities for boarders
15. Annual Sports Day
16. Fundraising events involving pupils
17. Use of off-site facilities for school activities
18. School transport arrangements including use of bus escorts
19. Care of children with special educational needs, including intimate care where needed
20. Care of any vulnerable adult students, including intimate care where needed
21. Management of challenging behaviour amongst pupils, including appropriate use of restraint where required
22. Management of provision of food and drink
23. Administration of medicine
24. Administration of First Aid
25. Curricular provision in respect of SPHE, RSE, Stay Safe
26. Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst pupils
27. Training of school personnel in child protection matters
28. Use of external personnel to supplement curriculum
29. Use of external personnel to support sports and other extra-curricular activities
30. Care of pupils with specific vulnerabilities/needs
31. Pupils from ethnic minorities/migrants
32. Members of the Traveller community
33. Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children
34. Pupils perceived to be LGBT
35. Pupils of minority religious faiths
36. Children in care
37. Children on Tusla's Child Protection Notification System (CPNS)
38. Children with medical needs
39. Recruitment of school personnel including teachers/SNAs, caretakers/secretaries/cleaners and sport coaches
40. External Tutors/Guest Speakers
41. Volunteers/Parents in school activities
42. Visitors/contractors present in school during school hours
43. Visitors/contractors present during after-school activities
44. Participation by pupils in religious ceremonies/religious instruction external to the school
45. Use of Information and Communication Technology by pupils in school, including social media
46. Application of sanctions under the school's Code of Behaviour including detention of pupils, confiscation of phones etc.
47. Students participating in work experience in the school
48. Students from the school participating in work experience elsewhere
49. Student teachers undertaking training placement in school
50. Use of video/photography/other media to record school events
51. After-school use of school premises by other organisations
52. Use of school premises by other organisations during school day
53. Breakfast club
54. Homework club/evening study
55. Children attending boarding schools or living away from home
1. Risk of harm not being recognised by school personnel
2. Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by members of school personnel
3. Risk of harm where members of school personnel have not received appropriate training
4. Risk of child being harmed in the school by a member of school personnel
5. Risk of child being harmed in the school by another child
6. Risk of child being harmed in the school by a volunteer or visitor to the school
7. Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a member of staff of another organisation or other person while a child is participating in out-of-school activities, e.g. school trip, swimming lessons
8. Risk of harm due to inappropriate use of online remote teaching and learning communication platform, such as an uninvited person accessing the lesson link, students being left unsupervised for long periods of time in breakout rooms
9. Risk of harm due to bullying of a child
10. Risk of harm due to racism
11. Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children in school
12. Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending out-of-school activities
13. Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications between a child and another child or adult
14. Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using computers, social media, phones and other devices while at school
15. Risk of harm to children with special educational needs who have particular vulnerabilities, including medical vulnerabilities
16. Risk of harm to child while a child is receiving intimate care
17. Risk of harm due to inadequate code of behaviour
18. Risk of harm in one-to-one teaching, counselling, coaching situations
19. Risk of harm caused by a member of school personnel communicating with pupils in an inappropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device, or other manner
20. Risk of harm caused by a member of school personnel accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or other manner
21. Risks where children are living away from home or attending boarding facilities
1. All school personnel are provided with a copy of the school's Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment
2. The Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 are made available to all school personnel
3. School personnel are required to adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 and all registered teaching staff are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015 as well as supporting the continued implementation of the best practice guidance set out in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and its addenda, including the Addendum to Children First 2019 and 2025
4. A written protocol is in place authorising immediate action for cases which require an employee to be immediately absented from school for child safeguarding reasons
5. The school implements in full the Stay Safe Programme
6. The school implements in full the Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum
7. The school implements in full the Wellbeing Programme at Junior Cycle
8. School authorities have a code of behaviour and an anti-bullying policy in place in accordance with the department's 'Bí Cineálta' procedures to prevent and address bullying in schools and as outlined in Circular 55/2024
9. The school has complied with the Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Responding to Crisis Situations developed by the Department of Education and Youth to address uncertainty for staff on how to respond when facing crisis situations where there are concerns regarding physical safety
10. The school undertakes anti-racism awareness initiatives
11. The school has a yard/playground supervision policy to ensure appropriate supervision of children during assembly, dismissal and breaks and in respect of specific areas such as toilets, changing rooms etc.
12. The school has in place a policy and clear procedures in respect of school outings
13. The school has a health and safety policy
14. The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation
15. The school adheres to the relevant Department of Education and Youth circulars in respect of recruitment
16. The school has a code of conduct for school personnel (teaching and non-teaching staff)
17. The school complies with the agreed disciplinary procedures for teaching staff
18. The school has a special educational needs policy
19. The school has an intimate care policy/plan in respect of students who require such care
20. The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of medication to pupils
21. The school has provided each member of school staff with a copy of the school's Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment
22. The school ensures all new personnel are provided with a copy of the school's Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment
23. The school encourages personnel to avail of relevant training
24. The school encourages board of management members to avail of relevant training
25. The school maintains records of all personnel and board member training
26. The school has in place a policy and procedures for the administration of First Aid
27. The school has in place a code of behaviour for pupils
28. The school has an Acceptable Use Policy in place, to include provision for online teaching and learning remotely, and has communicated this policy to parents
29. The school has in place a policy governing the use of smartphones and tablet devices in the school by pupils as per Circular 38/2018 and the national guidelines
30. The school has in place a Critical Incident Management Plan
31. The school has in place a Home School Liaison policy and related procedures
32. The school has in place a policy and procedures for the use of external persons to supplement delivery of the curriculum
33. The school has in place a policy and procedures for the use of external sports coaches
34. The school has in place a policy and clear procedures for one-to-one teaching activities
35. The school has in place a policy and procedures for one-to-one counselling
36. The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of student teacher placements
37. The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of pupils undertaking work experience in the school
38. The school has in place a policy and procedures in respect of pupils of the school undertaking work experience in external organisations
39. The school has in place a policy in relation to assisting members of school personnel in respect of disclosures of retrospective abuse
40. The school has considered the questions in Appendix 1 of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities Associated with Recognised Schools 2023 and implemented the necessary risk mitigation measures
In accordance with Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 and with the requirements of Chapter 9 of the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, the following is the written Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
In undertaking this Child Safeguarding Statement and 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.