Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

368. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action which has been taken by his Department on foot of the allegations of sexual assault on a pupil at a school (details supplied); if all front-line staff at the school in question received training in Children First guidelines and legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41270/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The primary statutory responsibility for child protection lies with the Child and Family Agency. The role of my Department is to provide guidance and support to schools in implementing child protection policy and to refer any allegations my Department receives to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána where appropriate for investigation.

My Department has issued "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools" based on the "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011" and which apply to all primary and post-primary schools. The purpose of the procedures is to give direction and guidance to school authorities in the implementation of the Children First guidelines when dealing with allegations/suspicions of child abuse and neglect. The procedures make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur, and the lead role of the Child and Family Agency in this area. The procedures for schools require each board of management to designate a senior member of staff, normally the principal, as the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for the school.

The DLP acts as a liaison person with the Child and Family Agency and with other agencies on child protection issues and as a resource person to any staff member who has concerns in this regard. The Children First guidelines and my Department's child protection procedures for schools provide that all child protection concerns shall be reported to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána where appropriate. Responsibility for ensuring that child protection requirements are complied with rests with the school board, the principal and the staff of each school.

On foot of the  revision in 2011 of the Children First guidelines, training has been offered by my Department's Support Services to the Designated Liaison Person and Deputy Designated Liaison Person in all schools in the form of seminars. In addition to this, training has been offered to all schools in the form of facilitated whole staff school visits.

My Department's Support Services' records indicate that training for Designated Liaison Persons and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons has been provided in the case of the school in question.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

369. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if every school has received training on Children First legislation and guidelines; the form of the training that has taken place; the total amount spent by his Department on the training; if the training forms part of initial teacher training for all student teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41271/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has offered training on child protection to all schools at primary and post primary level. Training has been offered to the Designated Liaison Person and Deputy Designated Liaison Person in all schools in the form of seminars. In addition, training has also been offered to all schools in the form of facilitated whole staff school visits.  As well as the support offered by my Departments' support services, schools are free to access other training in this area.

The next phase of support for schools will be made available later this year as new Children First guidance, training resources and revised Department of Education and Skills child protection procedures are finalised.  Annually, the  appropriate budgetary arrangements are put in place to allow schools to access support in this area.

The Teaching Council of Ireland's requirements for initial teacher education programmes set out learning outcomes for graduates of the programmes which include that the graduate will practice within the statutory framework pertaining to education, including child protection guidelines.

The budget for my Departments support services in 2016 for child protection training was in excess of €150,000 excluding personnel costs. 

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

370. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a requirement that all front-line staff in schools, including support staff, have received training in the area of Children First legislation and guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41272/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The primary statutory responsibility for child protection lies with the Child and Family Agency. The role of my Department is to provide guidance and support including training to schools in implementing child protection policy and to refer any allegations my Department receives to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána where appropriate for investigation.

My Department has issued "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools" based on the "Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011" and which apply to all primary and post-primary schools. The purpose of the procedures is to give direction and guidance to school authorities in the implementation of the Children First guidelines when dealing with allegations/suspicions of child abuse and neglect. The procedures make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur, and the lead role of the Child and Family Agency in this area.

It is the School Boards of Management's responsibility to ensure that all school personnel and board of management members have the necessary familiarity with the Child Protection Procedures for schools to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities under those procedures.  The procedures for schools have envisaged that this will be achieved by the school developing a culture of awareness and knowledge of the procedures amongst all school personnel and, where considered appropriate, ensuring that external training is undertaken.