INTO Calls for Comprehensive Child Protection Training for all Teachers

The DES published details today of the Inspectorate’s role in monitoring schools’ compliance with new child protection procedures. (DES Circular 81/2017) The Inspectorate said that its role in relation to child protection is solely to monitor and check compliance with the new procedures and that it has put in place two levels of monitoring (which are detailed below).

INTO General Secretary, Sheila Nunan, criticised the Department for failing to introduce a comprehensive programme of child protection training for all teachers. While INTO members fully support the introduction of measures to safeguard the children in their care, compliance checks alone will not assist with child protection. “We need comprehensive face-to-face training for all our teachers,” said Ms Nunan, “and whole-staff training on an ongoing basis.” The INTO is demanding that the DES provide and resource a thorough programme of training for all teachers, who are now mandated persons.

Levels of Inspectorate Monitoring

Level 1 – This will apply on occasions of inspections for Curriculum Evaluation, SEN and Incidental Inspections and will comprise of 3 checks as follows:

  • That the name of the DLP and the Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) are prominently displayed near the main entrance to the school
  • That the CSS has been ratified by the Board of Management and includes an annual review and a risk assessment
  • That all teachers visited have read the CSS and are aware of their responsibilities as a mandated person

Level 2 – This will apply on occasions of inspections for WSE, WSE-MLL, DEIS, Youth Reach and High Support Units and will comprise of 8 checks as follows:

  • That the name of the DLP and the CSS are prominently displayed near the main entrance to the school
  • That the CSS has been ratified by the Board of Management and includes an annual review and a risk assessment
  • That all teachers visited have read the CSS and are aware of their responsibilities as a mandated person
  • That the CSS meets the requirements of the Child Protection Procedures 2017 (The template contained in the child protection procedures is recommended)
  • That the minutes of the three most recent Board meetings contain a CPOR (It is recommended that copy of the CPOR is attached to the minutes of every Board meeting)
  • That the Board of Management has provided information to all school personnel on the child protection procedures
  • That the school is making full provision for the relevant aspects of the curriculum (SPHE, Stay Safe, RSE, Well-being)
  • That the Child Protection records are maintained in a secure location.

In addition, to level 1 and 2 monitoring, the Inspectorate is also developing a Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection Model (CPSI) which it proposes to roll out from January 2019. It is intended that going forward this model will apply to a sample of schools on an on-going basis. This model will focus on compliance in a more in-depth manner.

For further information on compliance and child protection generally please see our dedicated website page.