Fís

Fog

hla

im

Forb

air

t

www.pdst.ie© P D S T 2 0 1 6

This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ie/. You may use and re-use this material (not including images and logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike Licence.

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

Leading Student Welfare and Child Protection in Post Primary Schools

Catherine MurphySinead Lawlor

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

‘There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’

The late Leonard Cohen ‘Anthem’

ww

w.p

dst.

ieEmployee Assistance Scheme (EAS)

Care Call Wellbeing

• The purpose of the EAS is to provide teachers and their family members with easy access to confidential counselling and to assist in coping with the effect of personal and work related issues. The service is available to teachers whose positions are funded by the Department of Education and Skills, their spouses or partners, their dependents above the age of 16 and mother/father where appropriate.

1800 411 057 carecallwellbeing.ie

4

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• To increase an understanding of and to reflect upon the role of the Deputy Principal as a leader of the promotion and maintenance of student welfare in a child protecting school

• To consider welfare issues arising in schools and the resources available to address them

• To revisit aspects of ‘Children First 2011’ and the DES Child Protection Procedures

Aims of the Workshop

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• The promotion and maintenance of good learning, good mental, emotional and physical health and the social well-being of students, and conditions conducive to these . It consists of everyday care, a safe school environment, social and psychological support and health care

• Welfare or wellbeing refer to an overall condition, emphasizing happiness and contentment, though also including one's standard of living in financial or material ways

Student Welfare is….

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• Child protection Issues• Learning difficulties• Relationship problems• Mental Health Issues• Addiction Issues • Underage sexual activity and teenage pregnancy • Bullying issues• Cyber bullying and abuse• Poor teacher/pupil relationships• Passive or active exclusion of individuals and minorities

Welfare Issues in Schoolsnot exhaustive……..

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

Resources to Support Student Welfare and Child Protection

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• Policy & Planning

• Curriculum & Learning

• Partnerships

• Environment

Four Aspects of Wellbeing

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

1. Looking at Policy and Planning

A revised version of ‘Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children’ was issued July 2011

‘DES Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’, 2011, are derived from ‘Children First’

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has now put ‘Children First’ on a statutory basis to ensure, as far as possible, compliance by all organisations working with children. (signed into law in Nov 2015 by President Michael D. Higgins). It means all organisations have a duty to:

- Comply with Children First- Share relevant information in best interests of the

child- Co-operate with other agencies in the best

interests of the child

Children First 2011

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

‘Teachers are particularly well placed to observe and monitor children for signs of abuse. They are the main care-givers to

children outside the family context and have regular contact with children in the school setting’

(C.F. 4.8.3)

‘Teachers can play a particularly important role in raising children’s self esteem, motivation and confidence by the way they organise

teaching and learning’

(JC Guidelines for Wellbeing)

Teachers and Child Protection

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

For the purposes of these procedures a child means anyone under 18 years of age who is not, or has not

been, marriedGlossary of Terms

The age of consent is 17 years. If a school becomes aware of underage sexual intercourse the school

should take appropriate steps to inform the child’s parents2.1.6

Definition of a Child

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• While parents/guardians have primary responsibility for the care and protection of their children, personnel working with children also have clear responsibilities in this area

- CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY- LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS OF ABUSE- RECORD INFORMATION- REPORT

Child Abuse

ww

w.p

dst.

ieDefinition and recognition of

child abuse

Sexual Abuse

Neglect

Emotional Abuse

Physical Abuse

Peer Abuse & Bullying

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• Have clear procedures which all staff must follow • Designate a DLP and DDLP• Monitor progress of children at risk• Contribute to prevention of abuse through

curricular provision• Provide access to training for staff• Have clear procedures re actions to be taken in

case of allegation against staff4.8.2

Responsibilities of School Management

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

Route of Referral

Tusla• Advice – child not

identified• Refer on

Parent / Guardian* Board of Management

Staff Member•Reasonable Cause for Concern•Direct Disclosure

Designated Liaison Person

* DLP should inform a parent/carer unless doing so is likely to endanger the child or place the child at further risk.

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

How can the curriculum support and promote student welfare and child protection?

2. The Curriculum

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

JC Key Skills

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

3. School Environment

How can the school environment promote the welfare and protection of students?

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• Teachers can act as listeners, confidants and positive role models for a child

• The alertness of a school can protect a child from mistreatment and harm

• Schools provide boundaries, enabling children to develop confidence and a sense of belonging

• Schools can be a refuge from neglectful or abusive home environments

The Whole School Environment

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

School can be “an ally for children, a guarantor of basic protection, a capacity builder, a secure place from which to explore themselves and the world, an integrator into community and culture, a gateway to adult opportunities”

Professor R. GilliganTrinity College Dublin

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

What supports are available to us both internally and externally?

4. Partnerships

ww

w.p

dst.

ieReflecting on Contributors to Student

Welfare in School

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

• Identify the type of welfare issue described in the case study

• Discuss how you would respond

Case Studies

ww

w.p

dst.

ie

Student Welfare

Caring, safe environment

Recognition and reporting of signs and symptoms of

abuse

Inclusive curriculum

Effective discipline

Relevant and effective school

policies

Support structures for

students

Communication with school

partners

Student Welfare is Promoted by:

www.pdst.ie

The PDST is funded by the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and is managed

by Dublin West Education Centre

Fís

Fog

hla

im

Forb

air

t

This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ie/. You may use and re-use this material (not including images and logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike Licence.

© P D S T 2 0 1 6