Child Protection Policy

The Board of Management recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all the school’s policies, practices and activities. Accordingly, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Skills’ Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools, the Board of Management of Loreto Secondary School Fermoy has agreed the following child protection policy:

1. The Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools as part of this overall child protection policy.
2. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mrs. Marie Ring.
3. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Mrs. Sharon Holland.
4. In its policies and activities, Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy will adhere to the following principles of best practice in child protection and welfare: The school will
   • recognise that the protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations;
   • fully co-operate with the relevant statutory authorities in relation to child protection and welfare matters;
   • adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and protect workers from the necessity to take unnecessary risks that may leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect;
   • develop a practice of openness with parents and encourage parental involvement in the education of their children; and
   • fully respect confidentiality requirements in dealing with child protection matters.
   • The school will also adhere to the above principles in relation to any adult pupil with a special vulnerability
5. School policies, practices and activities that are relevant to child protection include the following :
   • The Code of Behaviour
   • Anti-bullying Policy
   • Attendance Policy
   • Supervision of Pupils
   • Critical Incident Response policy
   • Pastoral Care Team
   • Chaplaincy Mission Statement
   • Guidance Plan
   • Special Educational Needs Policy
   • Year Head and class tutor systems
   • Cairdeas groups
   • Youth Leaders
   • S.P.H.E. Policy
   • Religion programmes
   • R.S. E. Policy
   • Sporting activities
   • Work experience programmes
   • Suicide Prevention Policy
   • Visiting speakers
   • Policy on visiting college open days and career exhibition
   • Policy on taking photos, making videos and DVDs and placing on websites
   • images of pupils in the course of school activities.
   • School outings
   • This list is not exhaustive. The Board has ensured that the necessary policies, protocols or practices are in place in respect of each of the above listed items.
6. This policy has been made available to school personnel and the Parents’ Association and is readily available to parents on request. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and patron if requested.
7. This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year