IPPN

Last Updated: Saturday, 31 January 2009 09:49

In a major survey of primary school principals leading up to their conference this week, neglect is identified as the single most important factor impacting on children's welfare. 45% of principals said this was the greatest challenge for the welfare of children in their schools.

Over 800 primary school principals will gather in Killarney this week to discuss and debate professional issues and find new and better ways to organize education in our 3,000 primary schools at the Irish Primary Principals' Network annual conference. Last weeks horrific revelations in Roscommon reinforce this worry about child neglect. Often teachers are the only professionals who see this. All too often, the appropriate support and help for the child cannot be accessed. This is a highly stressful and frustrating situation for teachers and principals. But it is also far too high a price for any child to pay.

Many principals are angry at the media reporting of last weeks trial particularly when, as professionals, they contact the relevant authorities when they know things are not right and far too often, receive less than satisfactory support.

Clear and unambiguous policies are in place - Children First (HSE) and Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures (DES). In all schools, the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) responsible for reporting issues of child neglect and abuse under these policies is the principal, deputy principal or another teacher.

With such clear policies and procedures in place in all our schools, how can it happen that any child can suffer horrendous neglect and abuse over a long period of time without anything being done?

There are two issues:

1. The way child and family support services are accessed in our system and

2. The way professional concerns are reported

Currently parents of young children who are disadvantaged for whatever reason often fail to access services and entitlements due to lack of awareness, confusion and sometimes deliberate avoidance. The onus is on the parents to investigate and access services. This might be through the family doctor, the community nurse or other route but there is no clear, unambiguous route for a child in need to be directed to the appropriate service.

Our constitution places a very high regard on the primacy of the family and not the child. This may be adequate when the family is functional, articulate and effective in accessing the appropriate help for the child but it breaks down completely when the family is not up to the task of protecting or looking after their child. It is certainly not appropriate when the family itself is dysfunctional.

We radically need to turn the tables so that the "system" revolves around the child and that their health and education needs are met in a proactive rather than reactive fashion ensuring:

1. That each child receives the services, screening and subventions to which they are entitled

2. That early identification and detection of child specific needs is assured which in turn will save the system money in the long term

3. That there is a notable improvement in communication between all services so that a holistic approach is taken to the care of each child within the system.

Schools, principals and teachers are the best placed professionals to ensure this better communication and access to services for a child at risk or dysfunctional families. They are often the only professionals in regular contact with the child and the family. If a principal is concerned and worried about a child, then this needs to be taken more seriously than it is at present.

The same survey showed an overwhelming support for mandatory reporting to be enforced by legislation. Despite the fact that there are complex issues around the notion of mandatory reporting, over 85% of principals are calling for this to be enshrined in legislation.

Principals and teachers are not afraid to speak up on behalf of a child in need. They are frustrated at what they perceive as a lack of action when they do report concerns. They want a "fast-track" system in place when they do speak up on behalf of a child.

Ends