Key Principles of Safeguarding and Child Protection

The general principles, which underpin our work, are those set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and are enshrined in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, “Co-Operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland” (DOH, 2017), the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) guidance “Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools” (DENI Circular 2017/04) and the Safeguarding Board for NI Core Child Protection Policy and Procedures (2017).

The following principles form the basis of our Child Protection Policy.

• It is a child’s right to feel safe at all times, to be heard, listened to and taken seriously.
• We have a pastoral responsibility towards the children in our care and should take all reasonable steps to ensure their welfare is safeguarded and their safety is preserved.
• In any incident the child’s welfare must be paramount, this overrides all other considerations.
• A proper balance must be struck between protecting children and respecting the rights and needs of parents and families; Families should be supported and helped stay together but where there is conflict the child’s interest must always come first.
• Prevention and protection by working in partnership with individuals/groups in voluntary and statutory bodies concerned with the safeguarding of children.
• Communication and informed decision making must be evidence based and responses should be proportionate to the circumstances.Roles and Responsibilities

The Designated Teacher and Deputy Designated Teacher

Every school is required to appoint a Designated Teacher with responsibility for Child Protection. They must also appoint a Deputy Designated Teacher who as a member of the Safeguarding team will actively support the Designated Teacher in carrying out the following duties:

• Avail of training so that they are aware of duties, responsibilities and role
• Organise the induction and training for all school staff (whole school training)
• Lead in the development of the school’s Child Protection Policy
• Act as a point of contact for staff and parents
• Assist in the drafting and issuing of the summary of our Child Protection arrangements for parents
• Maintain a current awareness of early intervention supports and other local services e.g. Family Support Hubs.
• Make referrals to Social Services Gateway team or PSNI Public Protection Unit where appropriate
• Liaise with the Education Authority’s {EA} Designated Officers for Child Protection
• Maintain records of all child protection concerns
• Keep the School Principal informed
• Provide written annual report to the Board of Governors regarding child protection
• Promotion of safeguarding and child protection ethos in the school.

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Team consists of:

Mr J. Brennan - Designated Teacher (jbrennan566@c2kni.net)

Mrs L. Garvey - Deputy Designated Teacher (lgarvey154@c2kni.net)

Mr G. Trainor - Principal (gtrainor426@c2kni.net)

Mr D. Carbery - Board of Governor Representative