Child Safeguarding
Policy
Youngstars Music School
Child Safeguarding Statement
Declaration of Guiding Principles
Here at Youngstars Music School we provide the following services to children/young
people:
Youngstars Music School teachers provide the highest standards of music education
and foster a love of music in all our students, whether children or adults, whatever their
capability. We understand the importance of a well-rounded music education and thus
our courses are broad ranging in styles including pop, rock, classical, folk, music
theatre, jazz, etc. The student’s interests and abilities are our priority.
We teach students from junior infants upwards. Our ‘Little Stars Musicianship’ courses
are the ideal way to introduce our younger students to structured classes in a fun way
and through group learning.
We promote group learning and provide many classes that are taught to groups of
students from two students upwards.
In addition, we provide one-to-one tuition to students of all ages where that type of class
is recommended or requested by parents/guardians or teachers.
We believe that:
- Our priority to ensure the welfare and safety of every child and young person
who attends our service is paramount. - Our guiding principles and procedures to safeguard children and young people
reflect national policy and legislation and are underpinned by Children First Act
2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of
Children 2017, the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary
Schools 2017 and Túsla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding
Statements and current legislation such as the Children First Act 2015, Child
Care Act 1991, Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 and the
National Vetting Bureau Act 2012. The Board of Management of Cork City Music
College has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document. - We will review our guiding principles and child safeguarding procedures every
two years or sooner if necessary due to service issues or changes in legislation
or national policy. - All children and young people have an equal right to attend a service that
respects them as individuals and encourages them to reach their potential,
regardless of their background. - We are committed to upholding the rights of every child and young person who
attends our service, including the rights to be kept safe and protected from harm,
listened to and heard. - Our guiding principles apply to all contracted workers within our school. All
teachers must sign up to and abide by these guiding principles and our child
safeguarding procedures. - Workers/volunteers must conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles
of our organisation.
Our Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is: Anna Mitchelll, owner of
Youngstars Music School
Contact details: 085 8297737
youngstarsmusicschool@gmail.com
Our Deputy Designated Liaison Person is (DDLP): Brian Hassett
Contact details: 085 7486339
The school recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all
aspects of college life and must be reflected in all of the college’s policies, procedures,
practices and activities. In its policies, procedures, practices and activities, the college
will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare:
The school and staff:
● recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance,
regardless of all other considerations;
● fully complies with its statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and
other relevant legislation relating to the protection and welfare of children;
● fully co-operates with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child
protection and welfare matters;
● adopts 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;
● develops a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental
involvement in the music education of their children; and
● fully respects confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.
The college will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult student with
a special vulnerability.
The following procedures/measures are in place:
In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with
children, the school asks all staff to sign a memorandum that states that they adhere to
the statutory vetting requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and
Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 and to the wider duty of care guidance set out in
relevant Garda vetting and recruitment circulars. These memoranda are kept on file in
line with GDPR regulations.
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
Children First Act 2015), We ensure that each teacher is made aware that a copy of the
school’s Child Safeguarding Statement is available on the college website for their
viewing in addition to them receiving a copy of it directly from the college.
Finally, these procedures/measures are in place in relation to the provision of
information and, where necessary, instruction and training, to staff and in respect of the
identification of the occurrence of harm (as defined in the 2015 Act). In relation to
reporting of child protection concerns to Túsla, all college personnel are required to
adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures.
Youngstars Music School commits to the following:
● providing each member of staff with a copy of the college’s Child Safeguarding
Statement
● ensuring all new staff members are provided with a copy of the college’s Child
Safeguarding Statement
● encouraging staff members to avail of relevant training
● encouraging Board of Management members to avail of relevant training (the
Board of Management commits to maintaining records of all staff and Board
member training).
In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to the Child and Family Agency
(Túsla), all college personnel are now ‘mandated persons’ and are required to adhere to
the procedures set out in the Children First Act 2015. There are two areas of
responsibility which apply to mandated persons:
Where a mandated person knows, believes, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, on
the basis of information that he or she has received, acquired, or becomes aware of,
that a child has been harmed/ is being harmed/ is at risk of being harmed, he or she
must report that knowledge, belief, or suspicion to Túsla as soon as practicable.
Where a child believes that he or she has been harmed/ is being harmed/ is at risk of
being harmed and discloses that belief to a mandated person, the mandated person
must report that disclosure to Túsla as soon as practicable.
We have 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 this child
safeguarding statement. All contracted teachers are mandated persons under the
Children First Act 2015.
In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, we have carried out an assessment of
any potential for harm to a child while attending the school or participating in school
activities. A written assessment setting out the areas of risk identified and the school’s
procedures for managing those risks is attached as an appendix to these procedures.
The various procedures referred to in this statement can be accessed via the school’s
website, or will be made available on request by the school. We commit to publishing
this statement on our website and providing copies to all members of personnel. It is
readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be
made available to An Túsla and the Department if requested. This Child Safeguarding
Statement will be reviewed every two years 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 school on the dates indicated
below:
Signed: Anna Mitchell_Date: ____18/08/2020__
Owner of Youngstars Music School
Youngstars Music School
Written Assessment of Child
Safeguarding Risk
In accordance with section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 the following is the Written
Risk Assessment of Youngstars Music School - List of school activities
· arrival and dismissal of students
· Classroom teaching of music to students
· One-to-one teaching
· Music Activities
· Use of toilet in schools/centres
· Concerts involving students
· Use of off-site facilities for School activities.
These are: concerts/ Carol Singing·
Care of children with special educational needs
· Care of any vulnerable adult students
· Prevention and dealing with bullying amongst students
· Training of college personnel in child protection matters
· Recruitment of workers including –
- Teachers/admin staff
- External Tutors/Guest Speakers
- Volunteers
· Use of video/photography/other media to record events
- The school has identified the following risk of harm in respect of its
activities –
· Risk of harm not being recognised by college personnel
· Risk or non-compliance with GDPR
· Risk of harm not being reported properly and promptly by college
personnel
· Risk of child being harmed in the college by a member of college
personnel
· Risk of child being harmed in the college by another child
· Risk of child being harmed in the college by volunteer or visitor to the
college
· Risk of harm due to bullying of child
· Risk of child being harmed by a member of school personnel, a
member of staff of another organisation or other person while child participates in
out-of-school activities e.g. concerts.
· Risk of harm due to inadequate supervision of children while attending
out-of-school activities.
· Risk of harm due to inappropriate relationship/communications
between child and another child or adult
· Risk of not attending class.
· Risk of harm due to children inappropriately accessing/using social
media, phones and other devices while at college
· Risk of harm to children with SEN who have particular vulnerabilities
· Risk of harm in one-to-one teaching
· Risk of harm caused by member of college personnel communicating
with students in appropriate manner via social media, texting, digital device or other
manner
· Risk of harm caused by member of college personnel
accessing/circulating inappropriate material via social media, texting, digital device or
other manner - The college has the following procedures in place to address the risks of
harm identified in this assessment –
All teachers and staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding
Statement· Parents/guardians of students are invited to attend the
first class to meet their teacher and introduce their child to the teacher.
· The school’s GDPR policy is displayed on the website and is readily
available from the office of the college.
· Personnel are required to adhere to the Children First Act 2015
· The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy
· The school has a Health and Safety policy
· attendance and contact tracing is kept carefully
· The school adheres to the requirements of the Garda vetting legislation
in relation to recruitment and Garda vetting
· The school has a code of conduct for teachers
· The school complies with the agreed disciplinary procedures for
teaching staff
· The school –
o Has provided each member of college staff with a copy of the school’s Child
Safeguarding Statement
o Ensures all new staff are provided with a copy of the school’s Child Safeguarding
Statement
o Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
o Maintains records of all training
·
· The school has in place a policy that it does not administer medication
to students
· The school has in place a policy that it does not provide supervision to
students outside of their class schedule and parents are required to agree to this
· The school has as in place a policy that students from all backgrounds
are welcome to apply for classes. In the case of students with special educational
needs, college staff do not provide intimate care or administer medicines
· The school has in place a policy and clear procedures for one-to-one
teaching activities
Important Note:
It should be noted that risk in the context of this risk assessment is the risk of
“harm” as defined in the Children First Act 2015 and not general health and safety
risk.
The definition of harm is set out in Chapter 4 of the
Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post- Primary Colleges 2017
In undertaking this risk assessment, we have endeavoured to identify as far as possible
the risks of harm that are relevant to this school and to ensure that adequate
procedures are in place to manage all risks identified. While it is not possible to foresee
and remove all risk of harm, the school has in place the procedures listed in this risk
assessment to manage and reduce risk to the greatest possible extent.
This risk assessment has been completed by the Anna Mitchell.
It shall be reviewed as part of the school’s annual review of its Child Safeguarding
Statement.
Signed _________________________ Date ____
Owner
Youngstars Music School
Child Safeguarding Risk
Assessment
Checklist for Review of the
Youngstars Music School
Child Safeguarding Statement
Youngstars Music School will undertake a review of its Child Safeguarding Statement
and the following checklist shall be used for this purpose. The review must be
completed every two years or as soon as practicable after there has been a material
change in any matter to which the Child Safeguarding Statement refers. Undertaking a
biennial review will also ensure that a school also meets its statutory obligation under
section 11(8) of the Children First Act 2015, to review its Child Safeguarding Statement
every two years.
Yes/No/N
ot
Applicabl
e - Does the college’s Child Safeguarding Statement include a
written assessment of risk as required under the Children First
Act 2015?
Yes - Have you reviewed and updated where necessary the written
assessment of risk as part of this overall review?
Yes - Has the DLP attended available child protection training? Yes
- Has the Deputy DLP attended available child protection
training?
Yes - Are there both a DLP and a Deputy DLP currently appointed? Yes
- Are the relevant contact details (Túsla and An Garda Síochána)
to hand?
Yes - Have you arrangements in place to communicate the school’s
Child Safeguarding Statement to all personnel?
Yes - Are you satisfied that all school personnel have been made
aware of their responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015?
Yes - Have you received a Principal’s Child Protection Oversight
Report at each Board meeting held since the last review was
undertaken? Yes - Since the school’s last review, was the Board informed of any
child protection reports made to Túsla/An Garda Síochána by
the DLP? No (N/A) - Since the last review, have you been informed of any cases
where the DLP sought advice from Túsla/and as a result of this
advice, no report to the HSE was made? No (N/A) - Since the last review, have you been informed of any cases
where an allegation of abuse or neglect was made against any
member of college personnel? No (N/A) - Is the school satisfied that the child protection procedures in
relation to the making of reports to Túsla/An Garda Síochána
were appropriately followed in each case reviewed? Yes - Is the school satisfied that, since the last review, all appropriate
actions are being or have been taken in respect of any member
of school personnel against whom an allegation of abuse or
neglect has been made? *
Yes (N/A) - Were child protection matters reported to the Board
appropriately recorded in the Board minutes?
No (N/A) - Has the school ensured that the college’s Child Safeguarding
Statement is available to parents on request?
Yes - Is the school satisfied that the statutory requirements for Garda
Vetting have been met in respect of all college personnel
(employees and volunteers)? * Yes - Is the school satisfied that, from a child protection perspective,
thorough recruitment and selection procedures are applied by
the school in relation to all college personnel (employees and
volunteers)? *
Yes - Has the school considered and addressed any complaints or
suggestions for improvements regarding the college’s Child
Safeguarding Statement? Yes - Has the school identified any aspects of the college’s Child
Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that require
further improvement? Yes - Has the school put in place an action plan containing
appropriate timelines to address those aspects of the school
Child Safeguarding Statement and/or its implementation that
have been identified as requiring further improvement?
Yes - Has the school ensured that any areas for improvement that that
were identified in any previous review of the school’s Child
Safeguarding Statement have been adequately addressed? Yes
● This review was conducted in accordance with the ‘Checklist for review of the
Child Safeguarding Statement’ published on the Department’s website
www.education.ie.
Signed _____Anna Mitchell____________________ Date ____18/08/2020
Notification regarding the
Youngstars Music School
Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement
Child Protection Policy
General Guidelines:
The rights of children are enshrined in the constitution of Ireland and international and domestic law. In Ireland, the key legislative provisions regarding the safety, well-being and protection of children are as follows;
The Child Care Act, 1991 Domestic Violence Act, 1996 Protections for Persons reporting Act, 1998 The Education Act, 1998 The Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 Freedom of Information Act, 1997 The Education and Welfare Act, 2000 Children’s Act, 2001 Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002
The Statutory Authorities with responsibility for the protection and welfare of children are;
The Health Service Executive An Garda Siochana
The Department of Health and Children published the document, ‘National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children ‘,’ Children First, in 1999.
“Children First”, the national child protection guidelines, published in September 1999, noted that teachers are particularly well placed to observe and monitor children for signs of abuse. It called on schools to put in place clear procedures which school staff must follow where they suspect, or are alerted to, possible child abuse.
The “Child Protection Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools”, was produced to meet this need. Every teacher teaching in a School Hall or Classroom should make themselves familiar with these guidelines.
The guidelines reflect the particular circumstances of the school setting and provide management authorities and school staff with guidance in relation to recognising the signs and symptoms of child abuse and with procedures for dealing immediately with such concerns. The Guidelines should be taken in conjunction with Children First and not as a stand-alone document.
Recognising child abuse
Child abuse can take different forms, but usually consists of one or more of the following:
- Neglect: Where a child’s needs for food, warmth, shelter, nurturance and safety are not provided to the extent that the child suffers significant harm.
- Emotional Abuse: Where a child’s need for affection, approval, consistency and security is not being met.
- Physical Abuse: Where a child is assaulted or injured in some way that is deliberate.
- Sexual Abuse: Where a child is used for the sexual gratification of another. The Guidelines provide advice on the signs and behaviours that may be indicative of child abuse.
What responsibilities have you to your students
In situations where a teacher suspects that a child may have been abused, or is being abused, or is at risk of abuse, they should ensure that such concerns are reported in accordance with the procedures outlined in these Guidelines.
It is important that teachers and examiners keep their eyes and ears open at all times. Teachers have in the past found it helpful to keep a diary on classes or notes relating to examinations. These notes could list any suspicious student behaviour during class/ examinations. Teachers are advised to have someone supervising or helping in class. If there is an incident or accident in class you or your helper can deal with the situation leaving the remainder of class supervised at all times. If you cannot hire a helper it is advised if dealing with an accident that you never tend to a childs needs alone. Make sure you bring 2 or more children from the class with you to supervise.
Reporting concerns to a Health Board
If you are teaching from home or in a hall separate to a school setting and you have a suspicion that a child may have been abused, or is being abused, or is at risk of abuse you should, without delay, report the matter to the a Health Board Official. You should make yourself familiar with the contact number of your local health board or a contact number for your local Gardai.
What will the Health Board do with a report?
Once a report of suspected child abuse has been made to a health board, it is then a matter for that health board to decide upon the action, if any, which is necessitated by that report. The social worker handling the case may need to seek further clarification from the person who first raised the concerns. In some cases, the response of the health board will be to call a child protection conference.
Allegations or suspicions of child abuse concerning you the teacher
As a teacher, the most important consideration to be taken into account is the protection of children, and their safety and well-being must be the priority.
As a teacher you may be subject to malicious allegations. If you do find yourself in this situation you can refer to your class notes and have these available for further investigation.
It is important to note that there are two procedures to be followed by you in respect of an alligation:
- the reporting of your notes to the investigation unit.
- the procedure for dealing with the allegation as lined out in the schools Child Protection Guidelines. Child Protection Guidelines will advise that the accused should maintain strict confidentiality.
Feedback from Health Boards.
The Children First guidelines place an onus on health boards to ensure that arrangements are put in place to provide feedback to parents in regard to the progress of a child abuse investigation regarding a teacher. It is clearly stated in those guidelines that efforts should be made to investigate complaints against a teacher promptly bearing in mind the serious implications for an innocent teacher.
Peer abuse and bullying.
The Guidelines provide advice on the recognition and reporting of abuse perpetrated by a child’s peers. It is important that potentially abusive behavior between children is not ignored and, as appropriate, certain cases should be referred to the health board or dealt with by reporting your concerns to the parents of the children involved.
Teachers are responsible, in the first instance, for dealing with bullying in class. The more extreme forms of bullying behavior, when perpetrated by adults rather than children, would be regarded as physical or emotional abuse. Only such serious incidences of bullying should be referred to the health board.
Youngstars Music School
Within this framework, Youngstars Music School accepts our responsibility and obligation to safeguard the protection and welfare of children in our care, we undertake to ensure a best practice response to child protection issues by having a clear child protection policy and procedures which are designed to underpin and demonstrate our commitment to our duty of care. The welfare of the child is paramount in every circumstance. The guidelines outlined, give clear direction and guidance on child protection issues. It is incumbent upon every adult working with children to practice their ‘moral responsibility’ in reporting concerns, allegations, suspicions or a disclosure about child abuse to the Designated Officer for Child Protection in the school you are teaching or examining in.
- Having an obligation on examiners and teachers to observe this code of good practice;
- Having an obligation on affiliated schools to implement the selection procedures for teachers.
- Ensuring all examining staff undertake Child Protection Training
- All child protection concerns relating to teachers countrywide should be reported to the CYC Child Protection Officer in the school or to a health board official in their local area.
In making any report an individual needs to take the following into consideration;
- The protection and safety of the child is paramount;
- The principle of natural justice – a person is innocent until proven otherwise.
- The principle of confidentiality – only those that need to know should be told of a suspicion/allegation/disclosure of abuse and that the number that needs to be kept informed should be kept to a minimum.
In the case of a disclosure/suspicion or allegation of child abuse, the teacher/examiner must report without delay to the Child Protection Liaison Person in the local region. The Child Protection Liaison Person will contact a Health Board Official or Local Gardai.
The Child protection Officer will fulfill the function of ‘Designated Officer’ and follow procedures as outlined in the guidelines above.
Where an allegation is made against a teacher or an organisation, the staff member receiving the allegation should make contact with the local Child Protection Liaison person for their region who in turn will consult with Youngstars Music School. He/She will follow necessary procedures in consultation with Youngstars Music School Child Protection guidelines.
In the case of an emergency, where a child is deemed at serious risk and where no contact can be made with the CPO in a school a teacher should contact the local Garda station.
Any intentional breach of these Guidelines is a disciplinary matter and will be dealt with by the Director of Youngstars Music School.
It is important to note the following:
When teaching or examining you must do so in a room with a window or door with a window. If this is not available the door to the room must be ajar.
Children should never be left unattended.
Teachers should at all times have access to a phone.
Insurance cover should be adequate
Parents permission should be sought if a teacher wishes to use camera equipment in class. For Christmas/Summer shows it is suggested that you send out a permission form for the use of camera equipment in the hall or class. Parents can agree or disagree with their use. Once forms are back you should go with the majority. If parents wish to use camera equipment and the majority disagree with it, the parents should be asked to limit their use of camera equipment to before or after the show. If a show is taking place in a theatre the theatre will have their own rules and regulations regarding the use of camera equipment.
Contacts:
THE CHILD PROTECTION UNIT NYCI
3 Montague Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: 01-4784122 Fax: 01-4783974
Email: childprotection@nyci.ie
Websites of interest:
www.childprotection.ie
www.hse.ie
Publications of interest:
Our Duty to Care downloadable from www.dohc.ie/publications Child Care act available to view from www.irishstatutebook.ie Children First available to view from www.dohc.ie/publications