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Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures

Learn about child protection guidelines and procedures to safeguard children in school settings. Understand the signs of abuse, historical context, response procedures, and the role of teachers in protecting children.

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Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures

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  1. Child ProtectionGuidelines and Procedures PPDS 2008

  2. Timetable 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, 3.1.2. p.31 PPDS 2008

  5. Children FirstNational 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, 1.3.1., p.18 PPDS 2008

  6. Children FirstNational 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 15.1.1., 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, 6.8.1., 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. Children First 3.1.1 p.31 Definition and recognition of child abuse PPDS 2008

  22. Exercise… 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, 3.9.1. p.34 PPDS 2008

  24. Peer abuse Children abused by their peers: • Abuse reactive behaviour 11.3.3 • Sexually obsessive behaviour 11.3. • Abusive behaviour – elements of domination, coercion, bribery and secrecy – inappropriate age gap. 11.3.5 • Both parties may be victims Children First p.105-108 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 11.7.2., 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 10.2.1., 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

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