Child Safeguarding Statement

Child Safeguarding Statement

Whitehall College of Further Education provides Post Leaving Certificate, Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme courses and BTEI courses.

In accordance with the requirements of the 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 Colleges 2017 and Tusla Guidance on the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements, the Board of Management of Whitehall College of Further Education has agreed the Child Safeguarding Statement set out in this document.

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

2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is    Ann O’Reilly, Principal

3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLPs) are Carol Bruce, Deputy Principal, Siobhan O’Carroll, Acting Deputy Principal

4. The Board of Management 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 College 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;
• develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children; and
• fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.

5. 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 College, the College adheres to the relevant procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Colleges 2017 and to the relevant agreed disciplinary procedures for College staff which are published on the DES website. 

• In relation to the selection or recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children, the College 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 DES and available on the DES website.

• 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) the College-

• Will provide each member of staff with a copy of the College’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Ensure all new staff  are provided with a copy of the College’s Child Safeguarding Statement
• Encourages staff to avail of relevant training
• Encourages Board of Management members to avail of relevant training
• The College maintains records of all staff and Board member training

• In relation to reporting of child protection concerns to Tusla, all College personnel are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Colleges 2017, including in the case of registered teachers, those in relation to mandated reporting under the Children First Act 2015.

• In this College the Board 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.

• All registered teachers employed by the College are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.

• In accordance with the Children First Act 2015, the Board has carried out an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while attending the College or participating in College activities.

• The various procedures referred to in this Statement can be accessed via the DES website or will be made available on request by the College.

6. This statement will be published on the College’s website and will be provided to all members of College personnel.  It is readily accessible to parents and guardians on request. A copy of this Statement will be made available to Tusla and the Department if requested. 

7. 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 Board of Management on 21^st February 2018