CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Introduction
This document has been
reviewed by staff of Scoil Chaitríona Junior in October 2011 in response to
recent changes in legislation. It
further develops previous policy in this area and takes account of the provisions
of the following pieces of legislation.
The Education Act 1998
The Child Welfare Act
2000
Children Act 2001
Criminal Justice Act
2006
Domestic Violence Act
1996
Protection for Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998
Data Protection Act 1988
& 2003
Non-Fatal Offence
against the person Act 1997
Freedom of Information
Acts 1997 & 1997
Aims of this Policy
·
To provide
clear guidelines and procedures to all staff regarding child protection.
·
To
identify a designated person to act as a liaison with outside agencies and a
resource person to any staff member or volunteer who has child protection
concerns.
·
To
encourage staff to report concerns or suspicions to the designated liaison
person.
·
To assist
people in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect and deal
effectively with concerns.
·
To empower
children to cope with all situations regarding safety by equipping them with
the necessary life skills.
References
In all instances of
suspicion or allegations of abuse or neglect, the following resource books will
be referenced.
·
Children
First : National guidelines for the Prevention and Welfare of Children” –
Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2011
·
Children
First” - Department
of Children and Youth Affairs 2011
The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and
Post Primary Schools have been developed following extensive consultation
with the education partners and are based on the recently published Children
First – National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011.
·
The
purpose of these procedures is to give clear direction and guidance to school
management authorities and school personnel in implementing Children First within
the school setting.
·
The
procedures will apply with immediate effect to primary and post-primary schools.
Designated Liaison Person
(DLP)
The Principal shall act
as DLP in all situations except where a conflict of interest arises. In such
circumstances either the deputy DLP or a named senior teacher shall act as DLP. Should circumstances warrant it, the Deputy
Principal shall act as DLP.
The DLP has specific
responsibility for child protection and shall represent the school in all
dealings with Health Boards, An Garda Síochána and other parties in connection
with allegations of abuse.
All matters pertaining
to the processing or investigation of child abuse should be processed through
the DLP.
Further information on the responsibilities of
the DLP in cases where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion or where an
allegation has been made are in ‘ Child Protection DES’ – Pg 8 – Section 2.2
Action to be taken the
DLP in cases where there are reasonable grounds for suspicion or where an
allegation has been made are in ‘Child Protection DES’ Chapter 3 – Section 3.2
pg 11-12.
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Patricia Coleman
The Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (Deputy DLP) are
Teresa Carleton, Deputy
Principal
Confidentiality
All information
regarding concerns of possible child abuse should only be shared on a need to
know basis in the interests of the child.
Only those persons who
have a legitimate involvement or role in dealing with the issue should be kept
informed.
The provision of
information to protection a child who may have been or has been abused, to
those who need to have that information, is not a breach of confidentiality.
The DLP who is submitting a report to the Health
Board or An Garda Síochána should also inform a parent/guardian unless doing so
is likely to endanger the child or place that child at further risk. Where it is decided not to inform a parent or
guardian, the reasons for not doing so should be briefly recorded.
In emergency
situations, where the Health Board cannot be contacted, and the child appears
to be at immediate and serious risk, An Garda Síochána should be contacted
immediately.
A child should not be
left in a dangerous situation pending Health Board intervention.
Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse
The Protection for
Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, provides immunity from civil liability
to any person who reports child abuse ‘reasonably and in good faith’ to
designated officers of Health Boards or any member of An Garda Síochána.
This means that even
if a reported suspicion of child abuse proves unfounded, a plaintiff who took
an action would have to prove that the complainant had not acted reasonably and
in good faith making this report.
The act provides
significant protection for employees who report child abuse. These protections cover all employees and all
forms of discrimination up to and including dismissal (Child Protection, Guidelines and Procedures, Department of
Education & Science 2001 p. 6).
Qualified Privilege
While the legal
protection outlined above only applies to reports made to the appropriate
authorities (i.e. The Health Boards and An Garda Síochána), Common Law
qualified privilege continues to apply as heretofore. Consequently, should a Board of Management
member or school personnel furnish information with regard to suspicions of
child abuse to the DLP or the Board of Management chairman, such communication
would be regarded under common law as having qualified privilege.
A further definition
of qualified privilege is outlined in Section 1.4.2 and 1.4.3, page 6 of Child
Protection – Guidelines & Procedures.
Freedom of Information Act 1997
Reports made to Health
Boards may be subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997.
This act enables members of the public to obtain access to personal information
relating to them which is in the possession of public bodies. However, the act also provides that public
bodies may refuse access to information obtained by them in confidence.
Definition and Recognition of Child Abuse
Child abuse can be
categorised into four different types:
1.
neglect
2.
emotional
abuse
3.
physical
abuse
4.
sexual
abuse
A child may be
subjected to more than one form of abuse at any given time.
CATEGORIES OF ABUSE:
All references are to Children First: National
Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children -
Department of Children and Youth
Affairs 2011 (pp. 8-10)
1.
Definition of Neglect: (Page
8 of the 2011 National Guidelines for
the Protection & welfare of children)
- Neglect can be defined in terms of an omission, where the
child suffers significant harm or impairment of development by being
deprived of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation,
supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, and/or
medical care.
- Harm can be defined as the ill-treatment or the impairment of the
health or development of a child. Whether it is significant is
determined by the child’s health and development as compared to that which
could reasonably be expected of a child of similar age.
- Neglect generally becomes apparent in different ways over a period
of time rather than at one specific point. For example, a child who
suffers a series of minor injuries may not be having his or her needs met in
terms of necessary supervision and safety. A child whose height or weight
is significantly below average may be being deprived of adequate
nutrition. A child who consistently misses school may be being deprived of
intellectual stimulation.
- The threshold of significant harm is reached when the
child’s needs are neglected to the extent that his or her well-being
and/or development are severely affected.
2. Definition of Emotional Abuse: (Page 8 - 9 of the Guidelines)
I.
Emotional abuse is normally to be found in
the relationship between a parent/carer and a child rather than in a
specific event or pattern of events. It occurs when a child’s developmental
need for affection, approval, consistency and security are not met. Unless
other forms of abuse are present, it is rarely manifested in terms of physical
signs or symptoms. Examples may include:
(i)
the imposition of negative attributes on a
child, expressed by persistent criticism, sarcasm, hostility or blaming;
(ii)
conditional parenting in which the level of
care shown to a child is made contingent on his or her behaviours or actions;
(iii)
emotional unavailability of the child’s parent/carer;
(iv)
unresponsiveness of the parent/carer and/or
inconsistent or inappropriate expectations of the child;
(v)
premature imposition of responsibility on the
child;
(vi)
unrealistic or inappropriate expectations of the child’s capacity to understand
something or to
behave
and control himself or herself in a certain way;
(vi)
under- or over-protection of the child;
(vii)
failure to show interest in, or provide
age-appropriate opportunities for, the child’s cognitive and emotional
development;
(viii)
use of unreasonable or over-harsh disciplinary measures;
(ix)
exposure to domestic violence;
(xi) exposure to
inappropriate or abusive material through new technology.
II.
Emotional abuse can be manifested in terms of the child’s behavioural,
cognitive, affective or physical functioning. Examples of these include
insecure attachment, unhappiness, low self-esteem, educational and
developmental underachievement, and oppositional behaviour. The threshold of
significant harm is reached when abusive interactions dominate and
become typical of the relationship between the child and the
parent/carer.
3. Definition of Physical Abuse
(Page 9)
Physical
abuse of a child is that which results in actual or potential physical harm
from an interaction, or lack of interaction, which is reasonably within the
control of a parent or person in a position of responsibility, power or trust.
There may be single or repeated incidents.
Physical
abuse can involve:
(i)
severe physical punishment;
(ii)
beating, slapping, hitting or kicking;
(iii)
pushing, shaking or throwing;
(iv)
pinching, biting, choking or hair-pulling;
(v)
terrorising with threats;
(vi)
observing violence;
(vii)
use of excessive force in handling;
(viii)
deliberate poisoning;
(ix)
suffocation;
(x)
fabricated/induced illness (see Appendix 1 for details);
(xi) allowing or creating a
substantial risk of significant harm to a child.
4. Definition
of Sexual Abuse: (Page 9 - 10)
It
should be noted that the definition of child sexual abuse presented in this
section is not a legal definition and is not intended to be a description of
the criminal offence of sexual assault.
Sexual
abuse occurs when a child is used by another person for his or her gratification
or sexual arousal, or for that of others. Examples of child sexual abuse
include:
(i)
exposure of the sexual organs or any sexual
act intentionally performed in the presence of the child;
(ii)
intentional touching or molesting of the body of a child whether by a person or
object for the
purpose
of sexual arousal or gratification;
(iii)
masturbation in the presence of the child or the involvement of the child in an
act of masturbation;
(iv)
sexual intercourse with the child, whether oral, vaginal or anal;
(v)
sexual exploitation of a child, which includes inciting, encouraging,
propositioning, requiring or permitting a child to solicit for, or to engage
in, prostitution or other sexual acts. Sexual exploitation also occurs when a
child is involved in the exhibition, modeling or posing for the purpose of
sexual arousal, gratification or sexual act, including its recording (on film,
video tape or other media) or the manipulation, for those purposes, of the
image by computer or other means. It may also include showing sexually explicit
material to children, which is often a feature of the ‘grooming’ process by perpetrators
of abuse;
Sexual Abuse occurs when a child is used by
an other person for his or gratification or sexual arousal or for that of
others.
vi)
consensual sexual activity involving an adult and an underage person. In
relation to child sexual abuse, it should be noted that, for the purposes of
the criminal law, the age of consent to sexual intercourse is 17 years for both
boys and girls. An Garda Síochána will deal with the criminal aspects of the
case under the relevant legislation.
It
should be noted that the definition of child sexual abuse presented in this
section is not a legal definition
and is not
intended to be a description of the criminal offence of sexual assault.
Grounds
for Concern: (General – all abuse)
Child
neglect or abuse can often be difficult to identify and may present in many
forms. A list of indicators of child abuse is contained in Appendix 1 of the Guidelines. No one indicator should be seen as conclusive
in itself of abuse.
It
may indicate conditions other than child abuse. All signs and symptoms must be
examined in the context of the child’s situation and family circumstances.
Guidelines
for Recognition of Child Abuse
The
ability to recognise child abuse can depend as much on a person’s willingness
to accept the possibility of its existence as it does on their knowledge and
information. There are commonly three stages in the identification of child
neglect or abuse:
i.
Considering
the possibility
ii.
Looking
out for signs of abuse
iii.
Recording
of information
Each of these stages
is developed in ‘Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and
Welfare of Children 2011 p. 10.
Handling Disclosures From Children
Child Protection, Guidelines and Procedures - Department of Education & Science
2001Section 2.4 p.9, gives comprehensive details of how disclosures should be
approached.
When information is
offered in confidence the member of staff will need tact and sensitivity in
responding to the disclosure. The member
of staff will need to reassure the child, and retain his/her trust, while
explaining the need for action and the possible consequences, which will
necessarily involve other adults being informed. It is important to tell the child that
everything possible will be done to protect and support him/her but not to make
promises that cannot be kept e.g. promising not to tell anyone else.
The following advice
is offered to school personnel to whom a child makes a disclosure of abuse.
·
Listen to
the child
·
Take all
disclosures seriously
·
Do not ask
leading questions or make suggestion to the child
·
Offer
reassurance but do not make promises
·
Do not
stop a child recalling significant events
·
Do not
over react
·
Explain
that further help may have to be sought
·
Record the
discussion accurately and retain the record
This information
should then be passed on the DLP.
If the reporting
person or member of the school staff and DLP are satisfied that there are
reasonable grounds for the suspicion/allegation, the procedures for reporting
as laid out in ‘Children First’ – Section 3.4 p 14 will be adhered to. Standardised reporting forms may be
photocopies from ‘Children First’ Appendix
3 p 78.
The Chairman of the
Board of Management will be informed before the DLP makes contact with the
relevant authorities unless the situation demands that more immediate action to
be taken for the safety of the child, in which case the Chairman may be
informed after the report has been submitted.
Details of what should be included in the report are outlined in ‘
Children First’ – Section 3.5 – pp 14 - 15.
Any Professional who
suspects child abuse should inform parents or carers if a report is to be
submitted to the Health Board or An Garda Síochána, unless doing so is likely
to endanger the child.
In cases of emergency,
where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk, and a duty social
worker is unavailable, An Garda Siochána should be contacted. Under no circumstances should a child be left
in a dangerous situation pending Health Board intervention.
Allegations of Suspicions in relation to School
Employees
The most important
consideration for the Chairperson, Board of Management or the DLP is the safety
and protection of the child. However, employees
also have a right to protection against claims which are false or malicious.
As employers, the
Board of Management should always seek legal advice as the circumstances can
vary from one case to another.
When
an allegation of abuse is received, it should be assessed promptly and
carefully by the employer. Action taken in reporting an allegation of child abuse
against an employee should be based on an opinion formed ‘reasonably and in
good faith’. It will be necessary to decide whether a formal report should be
made to the HSE Children and Family Services. This decision should be based on reasonable
grounds for concern, as outlined in Chapter
3 of this national guidance.
There are two procedures
to be followed:
i.
The
reporting Procedure and
ii.
The
Procedure for dealing with employee
The DLP has
responsibility for reporting the matter to the Health Board. The Chairperson, Board of Management has
responsibility, acting in consultation with his/her board, for addressing the
employment issues.
If the allegation is
against the DLP, the Board of Management Chairperson will assume the
responsibility for reporting the matter to the Health Board.
Reporting.
When an allegation of
abuse is made against a school employee, the DLP should immediately act in
accordance with the procedures outlined in Children
First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011, Chapter
3, Section 3.4., p 14.
A written statement of
the allegation should be sought from the person or agency making the
report. The DLP should always inform the
Chairperson of the Board of Management.
School employee other
than the DLP, who receive allegations against another school employee, should
immediately report the matter to the DLP.
School employees, who form suspicions regarding conduct of another
school employee, should consult with the DLP.
The procedures outlined in Section 3, pg 14 will then be followed.
The complainant employee,
the Chairperson and DLP should privately make this employee aware:
i.
That an
allegation has been made against him/her
ii.
the nature
of the allegation and
iii.
Whether or
not the Health Board of Gardaí:
a.
have already
been informed,
b.
should be
informed, or
c.
must and
will be informed
The employee should be
given a copy of the written allegation and any other relevant
documentation. The employee should be
requested to respond to the allegation in writing to the Board of Management
within a specified period and told that this may be passed to the Gardaí,
Health Board, and legal advisers.
The priority in all
cases is that no child be exposed to unnecessary risk. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, the
Chairman should take any necessary protective measures. Those measures should be proportionate to the
level of risk and should not unreasonably penalise the employee in any way,
unless to protect the child.
If, in the
Chairperson’s opinion, the nature of the allegations warrant immediate action
the Board of Management should be convened to consider the matter. This may result in the Board of Management
directing the employee to absent him/herself from the school forthwith, while
the matter is being investigated. The employee
shall be placed on administrative leave pending the findings of the
investigation.
When the Board of
Management is unsure as to whether this should occur, advice should be sought
from the Gardaí and/or the Child Care Manager of the Health Board and the legal
advisers to the Board of Management and regard be had to this advice.
Administrative Leave
Wherever the Board of
Management directs that the employee be placed on administrative leave, it is a
leave of absence with pay. Administrative leave is not suspension and does not
imply any degree of guilt.
The DES should be
immediately informed. (Children First:
National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011 p 17).
When the Board of
Management is unsure as to whether an employee
is placed on administrative leave, advice should be sought from the Gardaí
and/or the Child Care Manager of the Health Board and the legal advisers to the
Board of Management. The Board of
Management must seriously consider this advice.
Board of Management
The Chairperson should
inform the Board of Management of all the details and remind the members of
their serious responsibility to maintain strict confidentiality on all matters
relating to the issue and the principles of due process and natural justice.
ORGANISATIONAL
ISSUES:
*
Supervision:
·
School opens at 8.40 a.m. – 2.30
p.m. Supervision covers
these hours.
·
School security is adequate –
doors are locked as far as possible
·
Bell on front door
·
Parents are asked to wait
outside to collect children
·
Interconnecting phone system
·
Rota for break time
* Attendance:
·
Comply with Welfare Board
·
Patterns of absences are noted.
·
Notes are requested for
absences and held for reasonable period
·
Parents notified at 15 days
absence
* Record
Keeping:
·
All accidents are recorded and stored in First Aid area
·
All serious accidents are recorded by class teacher and held on file.
·
Formal reports of suspected abuse are given to D.L.P.
* Induction of
Staff:
New
members are given copy of policies and are briefed on school rules and
procedures. Training if available is
appropriate.
* Pupils
Transport:
·
If a child if ill, parents are sent for
·
In an emergency we send for ambulance
·
Special Needs children go to an event. in groups, occasionally in a
teacher’s car.
* Special
Needs:
·
Special Needs Assistant (SNA) or the class teacher will accompany
the special needs child.
·
Curriculum is adapted to include special needs pupils and life skills are
promoted.
* Linkage with
other policies:
·
Code of Behaviour
·
Enrolment
·
R.S.E.
·
S.P.H.E
·
Anti Bullying
·
Health & Safety
·
Substance Abuse
4. Curricular Implications:
SPHE & RSE
·
Promote Lifeskills
·
Promoting security
·
Building trust
·
Open atmosphere encourages trust
·
Confidence that pupils will be listened to and issues taken seriously and
dealt with/action taken
·
Child centered school
Success
Criteria: Trusting partnership and all are valued and issues are dealt with
Implementation: Current practice
Ratification: Presented
at next Board Meeting on 02/10/13
Review: Annually
in September
Adopted by the Board of Management on October 2nd 2013 (date)
Signed……………………………………. Date: 09/10/2014
Chairperson of Board of Management
Signed ……………………………. Date: 09/10/2014
Principal
Signed copies on file in
Principal’s Office
Appendix A
Extract from Department of Health and Children Children First Guidelines,
May 2004, Page 38
4.4 Standard Reporting Procedure
4.4.1 If child abuse is suspected or alleged, the following steps should be
taken by members of the public or professionals who come into contact with
children:
(i) A report should be made to the HSE in person, by phone or in writing. Each
HSE area has a social worker on duty for a certain number of hours each day.
The duty social worker is available to meet with, or talk on the telephone, to
persons wishing to report child protection concerns.
(ii) It is generally most helpful if persons wishing to report child abuse
concerns make personal contact with the duty social worker. This will
facilitate the social worker in gathering as much information as possible about
the child and his or her parents/carers.
(iii) In the event of an emergency, or the non availability of HSE staff, the
report should be made to An Garda Siochana. This may be done at any Garda
Station.
NOTE: A Standard Form for Reporting Child Protection and/or Welfare Concerns to
a HSE is at Appendix 4 (Appendix B in D7ET Child Protection Policy document).
This is for use by staff and volunteers in organisations which work with
children or who are in contact with children. If a report is made by phone,
this form should be forwarded subsequently to the HSE.
4.5 Information Required when a Report is Being
Made
4.5.1 The ability of the HSE and/or An Garda Siochana to assess suspicions or
allegations of child abuse will depend on the amount and quality of information
conveyed to them by persons reporting their oncerns. As much as possible of the
following detail should be given in the Standard Reporting Form or by
telephone:
(i) accurate identifying information as far as it is known. This should include
the names, addresses and ages of the child and all children in the family as
well as the parents'/ carers' names and address;
(ii) name and address of the person alleged to be causing harm to the child;
(iii) a full account of what constitutes the grounds for concern about the
welfare and protection of the child or children;
(iv) source of any information which is being discussed with the HSE;
(v) dates when the concern arose, or a particular incident occurred;
(vi) circumstances in which the concern arose, or the incident occurred;
(vii) any explanation offered to account for the risk, injury or concern;
(viii) the child s own statement, if relevant;
(ix) any other information regarding difficulties which the family may be
experiencing. These may include illness, recent bereavement or separation,
financial situation, addiction, disability, mental health problem;
(x) any factors which may be considered supportive or protective of the family.
These may include helpful family members, neighbours, useful services or
projects with whom they have contact;
(xi) name of child or children s school;
(xii) name of child and/or family s general practitioner;
(xiii) the reporter s own involvement with the child and parents/carers;
(xiv) details of any action already taken about the risk or concern;
(xv) names and addresses of any agencies or key persons involved with the
parents/carers;
(xvi) identity of reporters including name, address, telephone number,
occupation, and relationship with the family.
4.5.2 Any professional who suspects child abuse should inform the
parents/carers if a report is to be submitted to the HSE or An Garda Siochana
unless doing so is likely to endanger the child.
4.5.3 In cases of emergency, where a child appears to be at immediate and
serious risk, and a duty social worker is unavailable, An Garda Siochana
should be contacted. Under no circumstances should a child be left in a
dangerous situation pending HSE intervention.
Appendix B
Extract from Department of Science and Education 'Child Protection Guidelines
and Procedures', March 2001, Appendix 1
PRIVATE
AND CONFIDENTIAL
Standard
reporting form for reporting child protection and welfare concerns to a HSE
1 Date of Report:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2 Name of person reporting:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3 Address of person reporting:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4 Relationship of reporting person with child:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5 Method of Report (telephone call, personal call to office):
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6 Family Details:
Details of child concerned
Surname: __________________________________________________________________
Forename:_________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ______________________________________________________________
Male/Female:_______________________________________________________________
Alias (known as): ___________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
____
__________________________________________________________________________
Telephone No:_____________________________________________________________
7 State whether you consider your report to indicate
a) suspected or actual child abuse or b) need for family support, giving
reasons:
Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Neglect
Suspected
Actual
8 Details of other family/household members:
name age relationship to child employment/school location
In cases of emergency, or outside HSE hours, reports should be made to An Garda
Siochana.
9 Name of other professionals involved with child/ren and/or parents/carers.
Public health nurse:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
School:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
General Practitioner:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Any other agency or professional involved:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(please describe the nature of the involvement)
10 Report Details
Describe, as fully as possible, the nature of the problem or incident being
reported, giving
details of times and dates of individual incidents, the circumstances in which
they occurred,
any other persons who were present at the time, and their involvement.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
11 Has any explanation been offered by the child and/or parents/carers, which
would account
for the current problem or incident? (Details)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
12 As far as possible, describe the state of the child/ren s physical, mental
and emotional
well-being.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
13 If child abuse is being alleged, who is believed to be responsible for
causing it?
Include (if known)
Name:_____________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Degree of contact with child:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Degree of contact with other children:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
14 Describe (in detail) any risks to which the child/ren in this situation are
believed to be
exposed.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
15 How did this information come to your attention?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
16 What has prompted you to report your concern at this time?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
17 What evidence of harm exists at present?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
18 Are there any factors in the child and/or parents/carers present situation,
which may have
relevance to the current concern? (For example; recent illness, bereavement,
separation,
addiction, mental health problem or other difficulty)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
19 Are there any factors in the child and/or parents/carers present situation,
which could be
considered protective or helpful (for example, extended family or community
support).
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
20 Has any action been taken in response to the current concern or incident
(details)
___________________________________________________________________________
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21 Are the child s parents/carers aware that this concern is being reported to
the HSE?
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22 Is there a need for urgent protective action at this point?
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23 Any other comments.
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Signed: ________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________
