15th February 2018
The DES has published further updates on the revised Child Protection Procedures and related matters. In particular, the DES has responded to INTO’s request for greater flexibility for schools by confirming that schools may decide locally to combine both half-days CPD school closures into one full-day school closure, to be taken during the current school-year.
The updates include:
- In relation to the two separate half-day closures during the 2017/18 school year to allow time, as a school community, to engage with the revised procedures and to access the support available the Department’s Teacher Education Section have advised “that it is a matter for each individual school authority to use their discretion as to the timing of the closures within this academic year. Schools may also combine both half-days into one full-day school closure, to be taken during the current school year.” This update is also available on the Department’s website here Child Protection Procedures in Schools
- The Department intends to provide schools with hard copy versions of the procedures in due course once a public procurement process and printing of the procedures is completed.
- An Irish version of the procedures is currently available electronically and can be downloaded here Cosaint Leanaí (pdf).
- The Department’s child protection (Irish) webpage can be accessed here Cosaint Leanaí – Department of Education and Skills.