Child Protection Policy

Introductory Statement

The staff and Management Committee of Drumcondra Education Support Centre have developed and agreed this policy in accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Addendum to Children First (2017), the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements.

For the purposes of this policy a “child” is any person under the age of 18 years who is not/has not been married (as defined in Children First). An individual copy of this policy document will be made available to all staff and members of Management Committee. It is incumbent on all staff to familiarise themselves with this document.

Nature of Service and Principles to Safeguard Children from Harm

Drumcondra Education Support Centre is a non-commercial body under the aegis of the Department of Education. It is one of 21 full-time Education Centres which operates nationally to provide programmes of continuing professional development (CPD) supports for teachers and schools in the North Dublin City and County area. The Education Act (1998) defines Education Centres as “a place in which services are provided for schools, teachers, parents, boards and other relevant persons which support them in carrying out their functions in respect of the provision of education which is recognised for that purpose by the Minister”

Drumcondra Education Support Centre has its legal basis under Section 37 of the Education Act (1998).  The Management Committee are elected annually, and is responsible for the governance and oversight of the Centre’s activities. The Director of the Centre manages the Centre on a daily basis.

This policy aims to:

  • Create a safe environment for all users of our Centre and for the participants in any activities organised by the Centre;
  • Develop an awareness and responsibility in the area of child protection amongst the staff and Management Committee of the Centre;
  • Put in place procedures for good practice to protect all children (engaged in Centre related activities) and staff;
  • Ensure that all staff are aware of Children First and the guidelines and procedures in relation to reporting concerns and /or disclosures of child abuse;
  • Provide for ongoing training in this and related areas for all staff.

The Centre will:

  • recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations;
  • fully comply with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children;
  • fully co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters;
  • adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and protect workers from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect;
  • fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.

Drumcondra Education Support Centre will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult learner who presents with a special vulnerability.

Procedures

  1. The Management Committee has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement

 

  1. The Mandated Person is Frances Moss, Director

 

  1. The Mandated Person can be contacted on director@ecdrumcondra.ie or 0873358550

 

  1. The Management Committee recognises that child protection and welfare considerations are a priority. While acknowledging that the visitors to our Centre are teachers and other adult learners, we recognise that certain activities of the Centre (Reading Recovery prize giving etc) involve children visiting the Centre, with their parents or teachers, and engaging in Centre activities. The Management Committee will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:

 

  1. The following procedures/measures are in place:

 

  • In relation to any member of staff who is the subject of any investigation (howsoever described) in respect of any act, omission or circumstance in respect of a child attending the Centre, Drumcondra Education Support Centre adheres to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for school staff which are published on the Department of Education (DE) website.

 

  1. In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work in the Centre, Drumcondra Education Support Centre adheres to the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 and to the wider duty of care guidance set out in relevant Garda vetting and recruitment circulars published by the DE and available on the DE website.

 

  1. In relation to the provision of information and, where necessary, instruction and training, to staff in respect of the identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act) Drumcondra Education Support Centre

 

  • Has provided each member of staff with a copy of Drumcondra Education Support Centre Child Safeguarding Statement
  • Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of Drumcondra Education Support Centre Child Safeguarding Statement
  • Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
  • The Management Committee maintains records of all staff and committee member training

 

  1. In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all staff are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools (revised 2023), and those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.

 

  1. In this Centre, the Management Committee has appointed the above named DLP as the “relevant person” (as defined in the Children First Act 2015) to be the first point of contact in respect of the child safeguarding statement.

 

  1. All registered teachers who work as tutors in the Centre, or in outside centres or venues, employed by Drumcondra Education Support Centre are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.

 

  1. In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Management Committee has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the centre or participating in Centre activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the Centre’s procedures for managing those risks is attached as an appendix to this statement.

 

This statement is published on the Drumcondra Education Support Centre’s website and has been provided to all members of staff.  It is readily accessible to parents and guardians of visiting children on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and the Department of Education if requested.

This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed annually or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this statement refers.

 

This Child Safeguarding Statement was adopted by the Management Committee on 12 March 2025

 

Signed: Frances Moss

Director of Drumcondra Education Support Centre

 

Signed: Mary Friel

Chairperson of Drumcondra Education Support Centre