CHILD PROTECTION GUIDELINES CHECKLIST.
Designated Liaison Person: Marie Dineen
Deputy Designated Liaison Person: Helen McEvoy.
If a child discloses information to you:
- Listen.
- Do not ask leading questions.
- Offer reassurance but do not promise to not to tell.
- Explain that other adults may need to be told (D.L.P.)
- Do not stop the child speaking.
- Do not over react or comment.
- Inform D.L.P. if you have reasonable suspicion or reasonable grounds for concern that a child is at risk or has suffered abuse the D.L.P. should contact Túlsa and report it.
- At the earliest opportunity, record accurately what the child has said – using the child’s own words. Record date/time and context of the disclosure. Use child’s registration number – not child’s name.
- Facts only.
- Sketch signs of physical injury if appropriate.
- Retain records for a period of 21 years in keeping with the School’s Record Keeping Policy.
The following should also be reported to the D.L.P:
- An account from a person who saw a child has been abused,
- Injury consistent with abuse.
- Dysfunctional behaviour.
- Implausible explanations for injury or behaviour.
- Consistent evidence over a period of time that a child is being emotionally or physically neglected.