PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Child Protection for DLPs and DDLPs

E-learning Presentation Series

Presentation #2Role of the DLP and DDLP

Child Protection CPD for Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) and

Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLPs)

2www.pdst.ie/child-protection-e-learning

Essential Materials

3 www.pdst.ie/child-protection-e-learning

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Employee Assistance Service

Text ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 to avail of EAS support on SMS & WhatsApp

✆CALL 1800 411 057

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https://www.education.ie/en/Education-Staff/Services/Employee-Assistance-Service/employee-assistance-service.html

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The EAS Wellbeing Portal

Overview of this series of E-Learning Presentations

Presentation 1: Overview and Context

Presentation 2: Role of the DLP and DDLP

Presentation 3: Record keeping and Oversight

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PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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To familiarise participants with the content and requirements of the Child Protection Procedures for

Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2017)

Aim of these presentations

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Welcome to Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-

Primary Schools (2017)

E-Learning Presentation #2

● Role of DLP and DDLP● Actions to be taken by the DLP when reporting concerns ● Informing parents● Dealing with disclosures from children● Consequences of non-reporting● Seeking Advice from Tusla● Allegations or Suspicions of Child Abuse regarding School

Employees

Presentation #2 - Overview

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PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Learning Outcomes ● To provide you with the information necessary to carry

out your role as DLP/DDLP ● To outline your role and highlight the actions taken in

reporting Child Protection concerns to Tusla, and how to communicate with parents if reports are being made

● To have a clear understanding of how to deal with disclosures from children

● To describe the consequences of not reporting an allegation/concern to Tusla when required to do so

● To identify the key considerations associated with seeking advice from Tusla

● To consider and evaluate the role of the DLP when an allegation of abuse is made against a school employee

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All child protection

concerns are channelled

through the DLP.

DLP DDLPAppointed by BOM Appointed by BOM

A senior full-time member of staff (normally the principal)

A senior full-time member of staff (normally the deputy principal)

The resource person for Child Protection concerns

Shall assume the responsibilities of the DLP, in the absence of the DLP

Responsible for ensuring that reporting requirements are met

Will be able to access the relevant records in the absence of the DLP

Will be the “relevant person” for the Child Safeguarding Statement

Name will be recorded in the Safeguarding Statement

Will deal with Tusla and other parties

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Time to reflectTrue or False?❖ The DLP has to be the Principal❖ DLP and DDLP have access to Child Protection records❖ All mandated persons are responsible for reporting

their concerns❖ The DLP is the ‘relevant person’ for the Child

Safeguarding Statement

Can you say if these statements are true or false? If not, we would urge you to go back over these slides and the Child Protections Procedures for Primary and Post-

Primary Schools (2017) where you will find the relevant information.12

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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The DLP and the reporting procedures

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If any member of school personnel,

receives an allegation or has a

suspicion that a child may have been abused or

neglected, is being abused or

neglected, or is at risk of abuse or

neglect, he or she shall, without

delay, report the matter to the DLP

Registered teachers, as

mandated persons are required to

follow the reporting procedures in

Chapter 5

The DLP should keep a written record of any

concerns brought and ensure that

these records are kept in a secure

location

The DLP is then responsible for

ensuring that the reporting

procedures are followed

Consider…..● As DLP are you confident that your staff members are aware of their

responsibilities in Child Protection and the actions to be taken if they have a concern?

● Are the registered teachers aware that they are referred to as mandated persons and what that means?

● What can you do to ensure this?

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Reporting - Action to be taken by all school personnel (teaching and non-teaching)●If any member of school personnel has a Child Protection concern

he or she shall without delay report the matter to the DLP●The DLP is responsible for ensuring the reporting procedures are

followed ●The DLP shall make a written record of any concern brought

to him or her and place it in a secure location (Presentation 3)●All school personnel must have due regard for

confidentiality (Presentation 1)➔Section 5.1.1

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PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Reporting - Action to be taken where a registered teacher has a concern

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⇨ If registered teachers have a Child Protection concern they shall go without delay to DLP

⇨ DLP and the registered teacher must consider whether there are reasonable grounds for concern

⇨ They then have to consider if the concern is above the defined threshold of harm

⇨ If they agree it is at or above the defined threshold of harm then a mandated report must be made jointly to Tusla

⇨ If they agree it is not above the threshold of harm but they have reasonable grounds for concern the DLP only will make the report

➔Section 5.2.2 – 5.2.5

Reassurances….● In all cases the DLP can seek advice from Tusla. This has been clearly

set out in Children First National Guidance 2017 (5.2.6)

● It is not the responsibility of school personnel to assess or investigate suspected abuse and neglect…. Tusla has responsibility for this (1.3.11)

● To make a report to Tusla all that is required is that the person has reasonable grounds for concern. Tusla’s role is to assess all concerns (2.2)

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Reporting of concerns● If Tusla advises a mandated report should be made that advice shall always be

acted on and a joint report shall be submitted to Tusla

● If both DLP and registered teacher are satisfied the concern is not above the threshold of harm but have reasonable grounds for concern the DLP will submit the report

● Following consultation with Tusla if either the DLP or the registered teacher has any remaining doubt as to whether the concern is at or above the threshold of harm, the DLP or the registered teacher (or both) shall submit the report as a mandated report

● In all cases the registered teacher will be informed of the advice given by Tuslaand the decisions made by DLP18 ➔Section 5.2.7 – 5.2.9

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Making a Report● Use Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Report Form or

Tusla’s Portal where you can make an online report

● If it is considered that a child is in immediate danger and Tusla cannot be contacted, An Garda Síochána should be contacted without delay

➔www.tusla.ie/childrensfirst/

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Emergency reporting●If it is considered that a child is in immediate danger and it is not

possible to make contact with Tusla, contact An Garda Síochána without delay

●Where a mandated person believes or has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child may be at risk of immediate harm, he or she may make a report to Tusla other than by means of the Tusla Report Form

●A Tusla Report Form must be submitted as soon as possible but not later than 3 days thereafter

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Actions to be taken where the DLP decides not to reportDLP must give a clear statement in writing to the registered teacher as to the reason why action is not being taken.DLP will advise the registered teacher that they:● are free to consult with Tusla if they remain concerned

● if they decide to report they shall use the Tusla report form

● if the registered teacher decides to report they must provide the DLP with a copy of that report

21 ➔Section 5.2.10

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Time to reflectTrue or False?

❖ All members of school personnel bring their CP concerns to the DLP❖ Teachers, as mandated persons, may report CP concerns without

consulting the DLP❖ Reports should only be made if there is evidence that

there is neglect or abuse❖ Teachers keep copies of any reports they make

themselvesCan you say if these statements are true or false? If not, we would urge you to go back over these slides and the Child Protections Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2017) where you will find the relevant information.

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Informing parents when a report is being made

It is good practice to inform parents/carers when a report is being made and the reasons for the decision to report unless:

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● if by doing so, the child will be placed at further risk ● the family’s knowledge of the report could impair

Tusla’s ability to carry out a risk assessment ● the reporter is of the reasonable opinion that by

doing so it may place the reporter at risk of harm from the family

Informing parents when a report is being made● It is the role of the DLP to inform the parents/carers that a report is

being made and the reasons for the decision to report regardless of who is submitting the report.

● A record of the information communicated to the parent/carer shall be made

● If the DLP decides not to inform a parent/carer a record shall be kept outlining the reasons for not doing so

● If there is any doubt whether to inform a parent/carer the DLP shall seek advice from Tusla

24➔Section 5.3.6

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Dealing with disclosures from children

●Disclosures must be dealt with sensitively and professionally●Listen and facilitate the child to tell rather than interviewing the child●Reassure the child that everything will be done to protect

him/her but do not make promises that cannot be kept●Treat all the information confidentially●Follow the reporting procedures ●School personnel have a supportive, not an investigative role

➔Please read Section 3.3

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Consequences of non-reporting

If it emerges that a mandated report was not made by a registered teacher and a child was left at risk or harmed the Children First National Guidance 2017 outlines the possible consequences:

● Tusla may make a complaint about the registered teacher to the Teaching Council

● Tusla may inform the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána and this may have implications when the teacher is next Garda vetted

26➔Section 4.8

Tusla Advice and Feedback

● Tusla is required to provide advice where sought● The DLP may request to speak to a more senior

member of Tusla if the advice is not given● Tusla should inform those seeking advice of the

likely steps to be taken once the report is made

● All mandated reports received by Tusla should be acknowledged (CFA 2015)

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PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Allegations of abuse against a school employeeThere are two procedures to be followed:

1. The reporting procedure - DLP2. The procedure for dealing with the employee – Employer

(BOM/ETB)

➢If allegation is against the DLP – Chairperson assumes DLP role➢If allegation is against BoM member – BoM inform Patron

Priority – ensure no child is at unnecessary risk

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Allegations of abuse against a school employee

● Where there is an allegation against a school employee the DLP will follow the reporting procedures as outlined in chapter 5.

● Whether or not the matter is being reported to Tusla, the DLP shall always inform the employer of an allegation of abuse against a school employee.

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➔Section 7.1

● Employers must have in place a written protocol -Appendix 3

● This applies where the need for immediate action arises

● Action must not be delayed● Action may also be triggered by the school being

informed by Tusla or An Garda Síochána of a risk to children.

Protocol Authorising Immediate Action

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➔Section 7.2

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

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Time to reflectTrue or False?❖ Parents should always be informed when a report is being

made.

❖ The person making the report should inform the parents.

❖ DLPs deal with all disclosures from children.❖ The DLP deals with the employee where there is an

allegation of abuse against a school employee.

Can you say if these statements are true or false? If not, we would urge you to go back over these slides and the Child Protections Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2017) where you will find the relevant information.31

Final thoughts

What do you know now that

you didn’t know before? Do you need to

implement any changes to

fulfil your role as DLP/DDLP?

What really made you think?

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Essential and Supplementary Materials

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All presentation slides, website links, essential documents, checklists, templates and

supplementary reading and multimedia materials can be found on the PDST website at

the following link:

www.pdst.ie/child-protection-e-learning

PDST Child Protection E-learning Presentation Series (2)

September 20

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Congratulations!You have reached the end of Presentation 2

Please proceed to Presentation 3:Record keeping and Oversight

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