IPPN

28th January 2010 Child protection the absolute first priority

Last Updated: Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:17

The President of the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN), Mr. Pat Goff, today Thursday, Jan 28th called for an immediate census of the 400 or so Newly Appointed Principals in our nation's schools to ascertain whether all have had training as Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs). A DLP is the person ultimately responsible for Child Protection in a particular school. Addressing 1,000 Principals, the largest ever gathering of Principals on this island, Mr. Goff reiterated IPPN's previous call for those in a position of authority in our schools who neglect to uphold the rights of children to step aside from their role.

A recent IPPN survey of over 630 Primary School Principals nationwide revealed that, while almost all schools have a Child Protection Policy in place, a worrying minority (2%) did not have an up to date policy. One school is one too many. Now more than ever, it is imperative that each and every school has robust child protection policies in place with all staff aware of the procedures to be followed. Principals and teachers must always have the welfare and rights of the children in their schools as their first priority.

ENDS

Evoking Edmund Burke 'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing', Mr. Goff also welcomed Minister Batt O' Keeffe's recent decision to make the teaching of the Stay Safe Programme mandatory. This programme 'offers children the permission and the language to speak up if ever they feel unsafe', stated the President. He also called for the Child Protection Guidelines to be put on a statutory footing. 'We owe this to our current pupils and to future generations of Irish children-it is their basic human right', continued Mr. Goff.