1. Child Protection Ethos
We in City of Armagh High School have a responsibility for the Pastoral Care, general welfare and
safety of the children in our care and we will carry out this duty by providing a caring, supportive and
safe environment, where each child is valued for his or her unique talents and abilities, and in which
all our young people can learn and develop to their full potential. All staff, teaching and non-teaching
should be alert to the signs of possible abuse and should know the procedures to be followed. This
policy sets out guidance on the action which is required where abuse or neglect of a child is suspected
and outlines referral procedures within our school.
2. Principles
The general principles, which underpin our work, are those set out in the UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child and are enshrined in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, “Co-Operating to
Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland” (DOH, 2017), the Department of
Education (Northern Ireland) guidance “Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools” (DENI Circular
2017/04) and the Safeguarding Board for NI Core Child Protection Policy and Procedures (2017).
The following principles form the basis of our Child Protection Policy.
the child or young person’s welfare is paramount;
the voice of the child or young person should be heard;
parents are supported to exercise parental responsibility and families helped stay together;
partnership;
prevention;
responses should be proportionate to the circumstances;
protection; and
evidence based and informed decision making.
3. Other Relevant Policies
The school has a duty to ensure that safeguarding permeates all activities and functions. This policy
therefore complements and supports a range of other school policies including:
Positive Behaviour Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy
Special Educational Needs Policy
Supporting Pupils with Medication Needs & Pupils Requiring First Aid
Health and Safety Policy
Relationships and Sexuality Education
ICT, E-safety & Acceptable Use Policy
These policies are available to parents and any parent requiring a copy should contact the
School Principal or visit the school website at www.cityofarmagh.org
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4. School Safeguarding Team
The following are members of the schools Safeguarding Team
Designated Teacher – K.Mulholland
Deputy Designated Teachers – C.Reid, A.Smiton, A.Murdoch, E.Freeburn. C.Greer
(LSC/ASC)
Principal – C Douglas
Designated Governor for Child Protection – G Chapman
Chair of the Board of Governors – W Scott
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Designated Teacher/ Deputy Designated Teachers
Every school is required to appoint a Designated Teacher with responsibility for Child Protection.
They must also appoint a Deputy Designated Teacher who as a member of the Safeguarding team
will actively support the Designated Teacher in carrying out the following duties:
the induction and training of all school staff including support staff;
being available to discuss safeguarding or child protection concerns of any member of staff;
responsibility for record keeping of all child protection concerns;
maintaining a current awareness of early intervention supports and other local services e.g.
Family Support Hubs;
making referrals to Social Services or PSNI where appropriate;
liaison with the EA Designated Officers for Child Protection;
keeping the school Principal informed;
lead responsibility for the development of the school’s child protection policy;
promotion of a safeguarding and child protection ethos in the school; and
compiling written reports to the Board of Governors regarding child protection.
Principal
as secretary to the Board of Governors, assist in fulfilling its safeguarding and child
protection duties;
ensure the Board of Governors are kept fully informed of all developments relating to
safeguarding including changes to legislation, policy, procedures, DE circulars, inclusion of
child protection on the termly meeting agenda;
to manage allegations / complaints against school staff;
to establish and manage the operational systems for safeguarding and child protection;
to appoint and manage designated teacher/deputy designated teachers who are enabled to
fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities;
to ensure safe and effective recruitment and selection including awareness of safeguarding
and child protection for new staff and volunteers;
ensure that parents and pupils receive a copy or summary of the child protection policy at
intake and at a minimum every 2 years; and
to maintain the schools record of child abuse complaints.
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Board of Governors
a designated governor for child protection is appointed;
a designated and deputy designated teacher are appointed in their schools;
they have a full understanding of the roles of the designated and deputy designated teachers
for child protection;
safeguarding and child protection training is given to all staff and governors including
refresher training;
the school has a child protection policy which is reviewed annually and parents and pupils
receive a copy of the child protection policy and complaints procedure every two years.
the school has an anti-bullying policy which is reviewed at intervals of no more than four
years and maintains a record of all incidents of bullying or alleged bullying. See the
Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016;
there is a code of conduct for all adults working in the school;
all school staff and volunteers are recruited and vetted, in line with DE Circular 2012/19;
they receive a full annual report on all child protection matters (It is best practice that they
receive a termly report of child protection activities). This report should include details of the
preventative curriculum and any initiatives or awareness raising undertaken within the
school, including training for staff; and
the school maintains the following child protection records in line with DE Circulars 2015/13
Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against a Member of Staff and 2016/20 Child Protection:
Record Keeping in Schools.
Chair of Board of Governors
The chair of the board of governors:
has a pivotal role in creating and maintaining a safeguarding ethos;
receives training from CPSS and HR;
assumes lead responsibility in the event of a CP complaint or concern about the principal;
and
ensures compliance with legislation, Child Protection record keeping and policies.
Designated Governor for Child Protection
Advises the board of governors on: -
the role of the designated teachers;
the content of child protection policies;
the content of a code of conduct for adults within the school;
the content of the termly updates and full annual designated teachers report; and
recruitment, selection, vetting and induction of staff.
Other Members of School Staff
members of staff must refer concerns or disclosures initially to the designated teacher for
child protection or to the deputy designated teacher if he/she is not available;
class teachers and Year Heads should complete the note of concern if there are
safeguarding concerns such as: poor attendance and punctuality, poor presentation,
changed or unusual behaviour including self-harm and suicidal thoughts, deterioration in
educational progress, discussions with parents about concerns relating to their child,
concerns about pupil abuse or serious bullying and concerns about home circumstances
including disclosures of domestic abuse;
staff should not give children a guarantee of total confidentiality regarding their disclosures,
should not investigate nor should they ask leading questions.
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Support Staff
if any member of the support staff has concerns about a child or staff member they should
report these concerns to the designated teacher or deputy designated teacher if he/she is
not available. A detailed written record of the concerns will be made and any further
necessary action will be taken.
Parents
The primary responsibility for safeguarding and protection of children rests with parents
who should feel confident about raising any concerns they have in relation to their child.
Parents can play their part in safeguarding by informing the school:
if the child has a medical condition or educational need;
if there are any Court Orders relating to the safety or wellbeing of a parent or child;
if there is any change in a child’s circumstances for example - change of address, change of
contact details, change of name, change of parental responsibility;
if there are any changes to arrangements about who brings their child to and from school;
if their child is absent and should send in a note on the child’s return to school. This assures
the school that the parent/carer knows about the absence. More information on parental
responsibility can be found on the EA website at: www.eani.org.uk/schools/safeguarding-
and-child-protection
It is essential that the school has up to date contact details for the parent/carer.