IPPN

Published: 06 September 2023

The DE has revised and updated the 2017 Child Protection Procedures. A summary of the changes made is outlined in Appendix 5 to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023).

The following is a brief summary of the changes and immediate priorities to be considered in the Board of Management’s scheduled review of procedures. Child Protection is the responsibility of the Board of Management and is not solely a matter for the school principal.

The more noteworthy changes for the Board to consider immediately are:

1. Adoption by the Board of the new procedures at their next BoM meeting
   
2. Implementation of the anonymisation/redaction protocols
   
3. Use of the new safeguarding and risk assessment template (see below).

Section 9.5.3 has additional text to guide anonymisation and redaction of all records provided to the board under 9.5.2 to ensure the identities of any children and any other parties, including the member of school personnel to whom the concern or report relates are not disclosed. Note: Where immediate action is required (defined in procedures), anonymisation/redaction is not required.

The purpose of this change is to strengthen the focus of BoMs on oversight i.e. satisfying themselves that the DLP / DDLP has acted in accordance with the Procedures, rather than any emphasis on children, families or school personnel.

The Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) and Risk Assessment (RA) is now combined into one document - Mandatory Template 1. BoMs must use this Template when revising their CSS and RA during the school year.

The revised Procedures refer to Tusla’s secure web portal for reporting concerns and including a link to the portal. Some schools may not be aware of this portal and should now create an account on the portal to be used if required. The school’s password to the portal should be shared with those who may have to use it.

The updated procedures take account of the Addendum to Children First, which deals with online safety.

IPPN’s Child Protection Resource Bundle will be updated to include these amendments as soon as possible and shared via E-scéal.

Click here to view/download the revised Child Protection Procedures 2023