1. Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures
PPDS 2008

2. Timetable Time 09:15 Session 1: Children First 10:45 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00
Session 2: DES Guidelines
12:45
Lunch
13:45
Session 3: Case Studies
15:15
Finish
PPDS 2008

3. Aim for the day
“To assist and give direction and guidance …..to school personnel in protecting children and dealing with allegations/suspicions of child abuse.”
Dr. Michael Woods, T.D. (April 2001)
Minister for Education and Science
Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures p.3 .
PPDS 2008

4. A child is…
“a person under the age of eighteen years, excluding a person who is or has been married.”
Children First, p.31
PPDS 2008

5. Children First National Guidelines for the Protection & Welfare of Children
“are directed at a wide audience of individuals and agencies who have contact with or provide services for children”
Children First, , p.18
PPDS 2008

6. Children First National Guidelines for the Protection & Welfare of Children
“schools, hospitals and community organisations will need to outline specific procedures for personnel on how to respond to concerns or suspicions of child abuse”
Children First , p.121
PPDS 2008

7. PPDS 2008

8. Objectives – Session 1
To outline the historical and legal context of Children First
To define the various categories of child abuse
To examine the signs and symptoms of child abuse
PPDS 2008

9. Teachers…
...play a vital role in the protection and welfare of children.
PPDS 2008

10. Teachers…
“…are the main care givers to children outside the family context and have regular contact with children in the school setting.”
and
“…are particularly well placed to observe and monitor children for signs of abuse.”
Children First, , p.50 .
PPDS 2008

11. School…
“…the sheer normality, routine and safety of school may be powerfully therapeutic for a vulnerable child.”
“………an ally for children, a guarantor of basic protection, a capacity builder, a secure place from which to explore self and the world, an integrator into community and culture, a gateway to adult opportunities…”
Gilligan, R., Child & Family Social Work,1998
PPDS 2008

12. Pragmatically
“If a child’s welfare is threatened then so is their academic progress…concentration and trust are two key ingredients of readiness to learn, two qualities which may be severely impaired by abusive experiences.”
Gilligan, R. Oideas, vol 44, (1996)
PPDS 2008

13. Child protection and the curriculum
We teach personal safety skills as part of the SPHE curriculum
Strand – Myself
Strand unit – Safety and protection
PPDS 2008

14. Stay Safe Child Abuse Prevention Programme
Reduces vulnerability to child abuse and bullying through the provision of:
Personal Safety education (Stay Safe) for primary school children – mainstream and special needs
In-service training for school staff
Board of Management training
Parent Education
Slide courtesy of CAPP
PPDS 2008

15. Child protection and the curriculum
We teach children about their bodies and give them the appropriate language with which to protect themselves
Strand – Myself
Strand units – Taking care of my body and
Growing and changing
PPDS 2008

16. RSE programme
PPDS 2008

17. Landmark child abuse cases
Report of the Kilkenny Incest Investigation (1993)
Kelly – a child is dead (1996)
West of Ireland Farmer case - Report of the Review Panel (1998)
PPDS 2008

18. Recommendations summarised
Inter-agency cooperation
Revised procedures
Precise and workable definitions
Training
Mandatory reporting
The role of the teacher
PPDS 2008

19. PPDS 2008

20. Key legislative provisions
Child Care Act, 1991
Bunreacht na hÉireann
Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998
Freedom of Information Act, 1997
Data Protection Act, 1998 & 2003
Domestic Violence Act,1996
Education Act, 1998
Education (Welfare) Act, 2000
Children Act (2001)
Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
PPDS 2008

21. Definition and recognition of child abuse
Children First p.31
PPDS 2008

22. Exercise… Abuse Neglect Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse
PPDS 2008

23. Guidelines for recognition
Stage 1 : Considering the possibility
“the ability to recognise child abuse depends as much on a person’s willingness to accept the possibility of its existence as it does on their knowledge and information”
Children First, p.34
PPDS 2008

24. Peer abuse Children abused by their peers:
Abuse reactive behaviour
Sexually obsessive behaviour 11.3.
Abusive behaviour – elements of domination, coercion, bribery and secrecy – inappropriate age gap
Both parties may be victims
Children First p
PPDS 2008

25. Bullying
“…defined as repeated aggression be it verbal, psychological or physical which is conducted by an individual or group against others”
“…it is the responsibility of the school authorities…”
Children First , p.107
“…research clearly indicates the crucial importance of a school (anti-bullying) policy…within framework of an overall school Code of Behaviour and Discipline.”
Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post-Primary Schools
PPDS 2008

26. Specially vulnerable children
Children with disabilities may be more at risk from
abuse for the following reasons:
Communication difficulties
Need for intimate care
Limited understanding of sexuality
Dependence on good will of carers
Frequent staff turnover
Children First , p.99
PPDS 2008

27. Race and ethnicity Communication difficulties Children left unattended
Begging
Physical punishment
Absenteeism
Cultural relativism – “I do follow guidelines, but maybe not as stringently…..”
PPDS 2008

28. Cultural relativism
Cultural sensitivity should not be equated with “cultural relativism”
Recognition of cultural differences and different practices should not be used to justify lower standards of care and inaction by professionals
PPDS 2008

29. Responsibilities of school management
Clear procedures … possible child abuse
Designate a senior member of staff
Monitor children considered at risk
Contribute to the prevention of child abuse
Promote in-service training
Clear procedures where allegation against school employee
Children First p51
PPDS 2008

30. Guiding principle
The safety and welfare of the child is of first and paramount importance
Child Care Act 1991
Children First
PPDS 2008