Article 18 Child protection measures

Northern Ireland

(1)

It shall be the duty of the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school—

(a)

to determine the measures to be taken at the school (whether by the Board of Governors, the staff of the school or other persons) with a view to protecting pupils from abuse (whether at school or elsewhere);

(b)

to review those measures—

(i)

from time to time; and

(ii)

(without prejudice to head (i)) at such times as the Department may direct;

(c)

in determining or reviewing those measures to have regard to any guidance given by the Department, F1the Authority F2... and (in the case of a Catholic maintained school) the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools;

(d)

to prepare a written statement of such measures and to secure that—

(i)

a copy of that statement is given (free of charge) to the parents of all registered pupils at the school and to the staff of the school; and

(ii)

copies of the statement are available for inspection (at all reasonable times and free of charge) at the school; and

(e)

to secure that such measures are taken.

(2)

Directions under paragraph (1)(b)(ii) may be given—

(a)

in relation to grant-aided schools generally;

(b)

in relation to a class or description of grant-aided school; or

(c)

in relation to any particular grant-aided school or schools.

(3)

In this Article “abuse” includes sexual abuse and abuse causing physical or mental harm to a child.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in Order substituted (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), s. 7(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 1(1)(a) (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3), Sch. 3 para. 1(2)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)
F2: Words in art. 18(1)(c) repealed (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), s. 7(2)(c), Sch. 4 (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)