Checklist for Safeguarding Statement

October 4th 2022

The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 requires the Board of Management to undertake a review of its Child Safeguarding Statement and that the following checklist will be used for this purpose. The review must be completed every year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the Child Safeguarding Statement refers. Undertaking an annual review will also ensure that a school also meets its statutory obligation under section 11(8) of the Children First Act 2015, to review its Child Safeguarding Statement every two years.

The checklist is designed as an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list of the issues to be considered. Individual Boards of Management shall include other items in the checklist that are of relevance to the school in question.

As part of the overall review process, Boards of Management should also assess relevant school policies, procedures, practices and activities vis-a

vis their adherence to the principles of best practice in child protection and welfare as set out in the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement, the Children First Act 2015 and the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017

	Yes/No
1. Has the Board formally adopted a Child Safeguarding Statement in accordance with the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’?	YES
2. As part of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement, has the Board formally adopted, without modification, the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’’?	YES
3. Does the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement include a written assessment of risk as required under the Children First Act 2015?	YES
4. Has the Board reviewed and updated where necessary the written assessment of risk as part of this overall review? 5. Has the DLP attended available child protection training?	YES YES
6. Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection training?	YES

7. Have any members of the Board attended child protection training? YES

8. Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed? YES


9. Are the relevant contact details (Tusla and An Garda Síochána) to hand?	YES
10. Has the Board arrangements in place to communicate the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement to new school personnel?	YES See CPP Staff Checklist
11. Is the Board satisfied that all school personnel have been made aware of their responsibilities under the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ and the Children First Act 2015?	YES
12. Has the Board received a Principal’s Child Protection Oversight Report at each Board meeting held since the last review was undertaken?	YES
13.Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any child protection reports made to Tusla/An Garda Síochána by the DLP?	YES
14.Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any cases where the DLP sought advice from Tusla/and as a result of this advice, no report to the HSE was made?	N/A
15.Since the Board’s last review, was the Board informed of any cases where an allegation of abuse or neglect was made against any member of school personnel?	N/A
16. Has the Board been provided with and reviewed all documents relevant to the Principal’s Child Protection Oversight Report?	YES
17. Is the Board satisfied that the child protection procedures in relation to the making of reports to Tusla/An Garda Síochána were appropriately followed in each case reviewed?	YES
18. Is the Board satisfied that, since the last review, all appropriate actions are being or have been taken in respect of any member of school personnel against whom an allegation of abuse or neglect has been made?*	N/A
19. Were child protection matters reported to the Board appropriately recorded in the Board minutes?	YES


20. Is the Board satisfied that all records relating to child protection are appropriately filed and stored securely?	YES
21. Has the Board been notified by any parent in relation to that parent not receiving the standard notification required under section 5.6 of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’	No
22. In relation to any cases identified at question 21 above, has the Board ensured that any notifications required section 5.6 of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ were subsequently issued by the DLP? 23. Has the Board ensured that the Parents’ Association (if any), has been provided with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?	N/A Yes
24. Has the Board ensured that the patron has been provided with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?	YES
25. Has the Board ensured that the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement is available to parents on request?	YES
26. Has the Board ensured that the Stay Safe programme is implemented in full in the school? (applies to primary schools)	YES
27. Has the Board ensured that the Wellbeing Programme for Junior Cycle students is implemented in full in the school? (applies to post primary schools)	N/A
28. Has the Board ensured that the SPHE curriculum is implemented in full in the school?	YES
29. Is the Board satisfied that the statutory requirements for Garda Vetting have been met in respect of all school personnel (employees and volunteers)? *	YES
30. Is the Board satisfied that the Department’s requirements in relation to the provision of a child protection related statutory declaration and associated form of undertaking have been met in respect of persons appointed to teaching and non-teaching positions?*	YES

31. Is the Board satisfied that, from a child protection perspective, thorough recruitment and selection procedures are applied by the school in relation to all school personnel (employees and volunteers)?	YES
32. Has the Board considered and addressed any complaints or suggestions for improvements regarding the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement?	Yes via Parent/ Guardian Survey
33. Has the Board sought the feedback of parents in relation to the school’s compliance with the requirements of the child safeguarding requirements of the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’	Yes
34. Has the Board sought the feedback of pupils in relation to the school’s child safeguarding arrangements? 35. Is the Board satisfied that the ‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017’ are being fully and adequately implemented by the school? 36. Has the Board identified any aspects of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that require further improvement?	Yes 4th 5th and 6th according to CPSMA advice YES No
37. Has the Board put in place an action plan containing appropriate timelines to address those aspects of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that have been identified as requiring further improvement ?	N/A

Signed _____________________________________ Date 04/10/2022 Maureen Hobbins

Chairperson, BoM

Signed _____________________________________ Date 04/10/2022 Ray D’Arcy

Principal/Secretary to the BoM