A SAFETY programme to educate and protect students from abuse is now to be taught in all primary schools.
Despite being introduced almost 20 years ago, dozens of schools have refused to teach the Stay Safe programme.
However, from this morning all 3,300 primary schools will be obliged to do so under updated child protection guidelines.
Teachers and other school staff are already required to report suspicions of abuse, including neglect, to a designated liaison person (DLP) — usually the principal — who deals with health authorities, gardaí or others in relation to child abuse concerns.
However, from this morning all 3,300 primary schools will be obliged to do so under updated child protection guidelines.
Teachers and other school staff are already required to report suspicions of abuse, including neglect, to a designated liaison person (DLP) — usually the principal — who deals with health authorities, gardaí or others in relation to child abuse concerns.
But now it will be a requirement in all primary and second-level schools that:
*The name of the DLP must be displayed prominently near the main entrance.
*As well as informing the board where a report involving a student has been made to the HSE, the DLP must now also tell them when advice was sought from the HSE but no report made; the principal must report the number of all such cases to every board meeting.
*Schools must make their child protection policy available to all staff and the parents’ association, and it must be readily accessible to parents on request.
*Child protection policies must be reviewed annually and plans made to address identified areas for improvement.
The guidelines, published by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, include improved oversights for boards of management. Parents and staff should have easier access to information about school policies and how to report suspicions of abuse.
Stay Safe has been in use since the early 1990s but a 2009 Department of Education survey suggested that about 150 schools were not teaching it.
Some Catholic primary schools did not introduce it because of sensitivities around sexuality issues it discussed and it has been suggested that resistance, particularly in its early stages, was stronger in certain Catholic dioceses.
The 58-page document seen by the Irish Examiner states: "The Stay Safe programme for primary schools plays a valuable role in helping children develop the skills necessary to enable them to recognise and resist abuse and potentially abusive situations."
It has been agreed by the department with school board representatives, teacher unions and others over the last two years and its finalisation was on hold until there was new Children First guidance, which was published by Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald in July.
Rather than wait until requirements for mandatory reporting of abuse suspicions are given statutory effect, Mr Quinn has ordered that the school guidelines take immediate effect.
*The name of the DLP must be displayed prominently near the main entrance.
*As well as informing the board where a report involving a student has been made to the HSE, the DLP must now also tell them when advice was sought from the HSE but no report made; the principal must report the number of all such cases to every board meeting.
*Schools must make their child protection policy available to all staff and the parents’ association, and it must be readily accessible to parents on request.
*Child protection policies must be reviewed annually and plans made to address identified areas for improvement.
The guidelines, published by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, include improved oversights for boards of management. Parents and staff should have easier access to information about school policies and how to report suspicions of abuse.
Stay Safe has been in use since the early 1990s but a 2009 Department of Education survey suggested that about 150 schools were not teaching it.
Some Catholic primary schools did not introduce it because of sensitivities around sexuality issues it discussed and it has been suggested that resistance, particularly in its early stages, was stronger in certain Catholic dioceses.
The 58-page document seen by the Irish Examiner states: "The Stay Safe programme for primary schools plays a valuable role in helping children develop the skills necessary to enable them to recognise and resist abuse and potentially abusive situations."
It has been agreed by the department with school board representatives, teacher unions and others over the last two years and its finalisation was on hold until there was new Children First guidance, which was published by Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald in July.
Rather than wait until requirements for mandatory reporting of abuse suspicions are given statutory effect, Mr Quinn has ordered that the school guidelines take immediate effect.