11th May 2008

Below are details of our Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct and The Maureen Onesti Mission Statement which applies at the Maureen Onesti Academy.  We are presently appointing a Child Protection Officer within our Academy. Details to follow: 

   Child Protection Policy

The Maureen Onesti Academy is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people. It recognises its responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.

The Maureen Onesti Academy.....
Child Protection Policy.....

We Will:

· Ensure that all workers understand their legal and moral obligations to protect children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation;

· Develop best practice in relation to the recruitment of all workers;

· Ensure that all workers understand their responsibility to work to the standards and procedures detailed in the organisation’s Code of Conduct, Code of Good Practice and the Child Protection Procedures;

· Ensure that all workers understand their obligations to report care or protection concerns about a child/young person, or a worker’s conduct towards a child/young person, to the organisation’s designated person for child protection;

· Ensure that all procedures relating to the conduct of workers are implemented in a consistent and equitable manner;

· Ensure that the designated person understands his/her responsibility to refer any child protection concerns to the statutory child protection agencies (i.e. Police and/or Social Work);

· Provide opportunities for all workers to develop their skills and knowledge particularly in relation to the care and protection of children and young people;

· Ensure that children and young people are enabled to express their ideas and views on a wide range of issues and will have access to the organisation’s Complaints Procedure;

· Ensure that parents/carers are encouraged to be involved in the work of the organisation and, when requested, have access to all guidelines and procedures;

· Endeavour to keep up-to-date with national developments relating to the care and protection of children and young people.

Code of Conduct

This example of a Code of Conduct which sets out acceptable and unacceptable standards of behaviour. It is important that workers understand what the consequences could be for them if they behave inappropriately towards children and young people, harm or place them at risk of harm.

Code of Conduct

You Should:

· Play your part in helping to develop an ethos where all people matter and are treated equally, and with respect and dignity.

· Always put the care, welfare and safety needs of a child first.

· Respect a child’s right to be involved in making choices and decisions which directly affect them.

· Listen attentively to any ideas and views a child wants to share with you.

· Respect a child’s culture (for example their faith and religious beliefs).

· Respect a child’s right to privacy and personal space.

· Respond sensitively to children who seem anxious about participating in certain activities.

· Speak to a member of staff immediately if you suspect that a child is experiencing bullying or harassment.

· Be aware of the vulnerability of some groups of children to being isolated and hurt (for example, children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

· Ensure that when you are working with children you are at least within sight or hearing of other adults.

· Listen carefully to any child who ‘tells you’ (sometimes through drawings and behaviour as well as words) that they are being harmed and report what you have discovered immediately.

· Report immediately any suspicion that a child could be at risk of harm or abuse.

· Never dismiss what a child tells you as ‘lies’ or exaggeration.

· Only restrain a child who is at imminent risk of inflicting harm to themselves or others or is at risk of damaging property.

· Never underestimate the contribution that you can make to the development of safe communities for children. 


You Must Never.......

· Exaggerate or trivialise another persons concerns about a child or ignore an allegation or suspicion of abuse in the hope that it will either ‘go away’ or that ‘someone else will deal with it’.

· Discuss personal issues about a child or their family with other people unless you are concerned about the child’s well being.

· Be drawn into any derogatory remarks or gestures in front of children or young persons.

· Allow a child, young person or adult to be bullied or harmed by anyone in the organisation.

· Allow children to swear

· Harass or intimidate a child because of their age, ‘race’, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, socio-economic class or disability.

· Never invite or allow children to stay with you at your home.

  School Mission Statement

We aim to teach and treat every child within the school as an 'individual' and strive to perfect their Irish Dancing Skills from Beginners through to Championship Standard, in a Fun, Caring, Friendly and Safe Environment.

Signed

Maureen Onesti - T.C.R.G & Cara Onesti - Trainee T.C.R.G - Lorraine Brennan - Trainee T.C.R.G    

Important Information

• Maureen Onesti & Cara Onesti have full 'up to date' enhanced disclosure checks' which is required by the Local Authority when working with children.

• Maureen Onesti is a Fully Qualified I.O.S.H Health and Safety Officer.
  
• Emergency Evacuation Procedures conducted on a regular basis
  
• First Aid Boxes Provided
  
• Full Class Induction for all 'New Pupils'

All Classes are Fully Insured

Safey First....Always a Priority