Message from the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD
The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 were developed following extensive consultation with the education partners to take account of the statutory obligations under the Children First Act, 2015 and the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The obligations and responsibilities which arise from the procedures have been taken very seriously by our schools since their implementation and there is a very strong culture of child protection across the school sector.
Following the publication of the procedures in 2017, schools have implemented the procedures in full, including developing a Child Safeguarding Statement (which includes a Risk Assessment), appointing a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP), ensuring that parents/guardians and all school personnel are aware of the school’s child protection and safeguarding procedures, ensuring that reporting procedures in line with Children First are in place and ensuring that school personnel are provided with training in respect of recognising and reporting alleged child protection concerns.
There have been important developments since the publication of the procedures in 2017 including the Data Protection Acts which give effect to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the commencement of the Teaching Council (Information to be Furnished by Employer in Case of Dismissal or Resignation of Registered Teacher) Regulations 2023. The Department has also published Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 and an associated inspection model. The Department has now revised the 2017 procedures and published these 2023 procedures to take account of the aforementioned legislative and policy developments.
The protection and welfare of children must continue to be of paramount importance for every school. These Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) have been published following extensive consultation with the education partners and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the education partners and all those involved in the development of the revisions to the procedures.
St Kieran’s College Documents 2023-2024
The Child Safeguarding Statement for St Kieran’s College was reviewed ratified by the Board of Management on Friday 1st September 2023.
Please click on the following link to view The Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
A copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement is also available to parents on request by contacting the school office.
Please click on the link Notification to Parents regarding the Board of Management Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement for official notice to parents regarding the annual review of our Safeguarding Statement at that Board of Management meeting on Friday 1st September 2023.