Dundalk School of Music is fully committed to providing a safe environment for children and young people, and to safeguarding the well-being of our young students within the School. Teachers should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of students and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the School.

The aim of the Dundalk School of Music's Child Protection Policy is to promote best practice in protection and set out a procedural framework to ensure that teachers are equipped to make informed responses to specific issues and minimise risk with regard to protection and welfare issues. In implementing its policy, we follow the recommendations of Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, available here:

https://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/Publications/ChildrenFirst.pdf and Our Duty to Care – The Principles of Good Practice for theProtection of Children and Young People; see https://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/ODTC_Full_Eng.pdf.

The following are Dundalk School of Music's procedures, covering:

• Code of Behaviour for Teachers
• Procedures for Reporting Suspected Cases of Abuse
• Allegations of Misconduct or Abuse by a Team member
• Contracting Teacher and Selection Practices
• Complaints and Accidents Procedure

Code of Behaviour for Teachers

• Children are to be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
• School teachers must be sensitive to the risks involved in interacting with children in a one-to-one setting.
• Teachers should never physically punish or be in any way verbally abusive to a child, nor should they ever tell jokes of a sexual nature in the presence of children.
• Teachers should be sensitive to the possibility of developing favouritism, or becoming over involved or spending a great deal of time with any one child.
• Children and/or parents should be encouraged to report any problems to either the School’s Child Protection Officer (Patricia Duffy). All complaints and allegations will be met with a response.
• Everyone involved with the School should respect the personal space, safety and privacy of individuals.

Procedures for Reporting Suspected Cases of Abuse

Child abuse can be categorised into four types: neglect, emotional, physical and sexual. Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children includes the following definitions of child abuse:

1. Neglect. This is where a child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, or medical care.

2. Emotional Abuse. This is normally found in the relationship between a caregiver and a child. It occurs when a child’s needs for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met.

3. Physical Abuse. Physical abuse is any form of non-accidental injury that causes significant harm to a child.

4. Sexual Abuse. Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification or arousal, or for that of others.

Any person who suspects that a child is being abused or is at risk of abuse has a responsibility to report their concerns to the health board (via the School’s Child Protection Officer). The Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act (1998) provides immunity from civil liability to persons who report child abuse ‘reasonably and in good faith’ to designated officers of health boards or any member of An Garda Síochána.

Within the School, the report should be made to the Child Protection Officer. If there are any grounds for concern, the the health board or An Garda Síochána will be contacted. The person who first reported the matter will normally be required to talk to the duty social worker. When reporting, as much information as possible should be provided, i.e. names, addresses, full account of the concern for the child, dates of incidents, circumstances, and the child’s own statement, if relevant.

In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, An Garda Síochána will be contacted. A suspicion, which is not supported by any objective signs of abuse, would not constitute a reasonable suspicion, or reasonable grounds for concern. Any information provided to the health board and An Garda Síochána will remain confidential.

Allegations of Misconduct or Abuse by Teachers

The following actions are to be taken if an allegation is made against a member of the Team.

• The School Principal will be informed as soon as possible
• The first priority is that no child is exposed to unnecessary risk, and the School Director will take the relevant protective measures.
• These measures will be proportionate to the level of risk, and will not unreasonably penalise the teacher
• Where protective measures, such as suspension, does penalise the a teacher, early consideration will be given to the case
• Any action following the allegation of abuse against a teacher will be taken in consultation with the health board and An Garda Síochána. An immediate meeting with these two agencies will be arrangedAfter these consultations, the accused person will be informed by the Director of his/her future contract with the School
The School will ensure that all is done to assist the health board and An Garda Síochána in their investigation of the matter.

Contracting of Teachers and Selected Practices

• When a vacancy becomes available, a clear description of the job is to be provided. The minimum level of personal qualities required to fill the post are to be made clear.
• Applicants are interviewed by at least two representatives of the School. The information supplied by the applicant and any other information supplied on their behalf will only be seen by persons directly involved in the recruitment procedure.
• Applicants are to supply the names of two referees who will testify as to their character, their suitability to the job and any other issues, which may affect their ability to perform the required tasks. At least one referee should have first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s previous work or contact with children.
• The applicant will be required to confirm his/her identity against some documentation, which gives his or her full name and address together with a signature or photograph.
• It is a requirement that all applicants are Garda Vetted.

Complaints and Accident Procedures

• Emergency numbers are prominently displayed, and known by office Team.
• The telephone in the office is available for emergency purposes.
• A first aid box is kept close at hand.
• All accidents and complaints are to be reported to the Child Protection Officer, who will then enter them in a logbook.

Child Protection Policy