Child protection in primary schools: a contradiction in terms or a potential opportunity?

Abstract

This paper deals with the topic of child protection in Irish primary schools, and reports on a recently completed survey of newly qualified teachers’ knowledge of and familiarity with their school's child protection policies and procedures. The study was undertaken by means of a questionnaire survey, and conducted with 103 teachers from different schools. The child protection roles and responsibilities of schools are clearly spelt out in national guidelines. However, the findings from this research indicate that compliance with the requirement to inform new staff about the guidelines and ensure that they have read them is weak. This is evidenced by the data concerning the teachers’ reported knowledge of, and familiarity with, their school's child protection policies. Half of the respondents did not know if their school had a child protection policy or not. Of those who were aware of their school's child protection policy, only just over half had read it. Well under half of the respondents knew if there was a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) with responsibility for child protection in their school. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of respondents reported uncertainty or lack of confidence in being able to identify suspected child abuse. The paper draws on international research on child protection in education to provide the context for a discussion on the factors that influence schools’ motivation and willingness to collaborate as key protectors of children's safety and welfare, and makes recommendations for policy makers, school managers and frontline staff.

Keywords:

• child protection
• Ireland
• school child protection policy
• reporting suspected child abuse
• Designated Liaison Person

Notes

1. The HSE has statutory responsibility under the Child Care Act to promote the welfare of children not receiving adequate care and protection.

2. The term ‘mandatory’ is generally understood as legally binding, i.e. failure to report is regarded as a breach of civil law or a criminal offence that carries various penalties such as fines or imprisonment. Mandatory reporting operates in North America and most of Australia as well as parts of Northern Europe.

3. ‘Subbing’ refers to individuals employed as substitute/replacement/supply teachers in a school for an indefinite period (ranging from one day to longer term) to cover sick leave, maternity leave or any other absences by full-time teaching staff.