Child Protection
CHILD PROTECTION : INFORMATION TO PARENTS
Belfast Boys' Model School aims to provide all pupils with a caring, supportive and safe environment. We also seek to fulfil our statutory duties in the protection of pupils from harm as stated in Child Protection legislation and in guidance provided by the Department of Education. This states that we must do whatever is reasonable, in all circumstances, to safeguard and promote our pupils' welfare. In light of this, we reserve the right to make a referral to an outside agency if concerns exist about the welfare of a child.
Partnership with Parents
We place a high value on the close working relationship we enjoy with the parents/carers of our pupils. We would encourage any parent or carer to help us to identify any areas of concern as early as possible, so that any probems, or potential problems, can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
The School takes all complaints/concerns seriously and they will be treated with the utmost appropriate confidentiality.
Making A Complaint Regarding Child Protection
Making a complaint in this context is passing on your concerns about someone's behaviour, attitude of treatment to a child or your concerns about a child's emotional, physical or sexual safety.
The following steps gives advice on how to make such a complaint:
A PARENTS'/CARERS' GUIDE TO MAKING A COMPLAINT REGARDING CHILD PROTECTION
1) I have a concern about my / a child's safety
2) I can talk to the child's
Form teacher
Year Counsellor
Head of Year
3) If I am still concerned, I can talk to
the Designated Teacher for Child Protection - Mr. A. Logan
or the Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection - Mr. G. Beattie
or to the Head of Counselling - Mrs. A. Glenn
4) If I am still concerned I can talk to the
Headmaster - Mr. J. Keith
5) If I am still concerned, I can write to the
Chairman of the Board of Governors
Belfast Boys' Model School
Ballysillan Road
Belfast
BT14 6RB
The phone number to contact any of the above teachers is 028 9039 1156.
At any stage during this procedure you may wish to avail of any of the following external services:
Social Services Child Protection Team (Cooper Street) - 9032 0840
Social Services Emergency Out of Hours contact - 9056 5444
PSNI Care Unit - 9025 9305
BELB Child Protection Officer - 9056 4031
What Happens When A Complaint is Received by the School
The person receiving the complaint will make written notes of what you say and records will be kept of the conversation. You will be asked for a contact number and for a suitable contact time, so that you can be asked for clarification or given a report back. You should be given a verbal report back on your complaint within 48 hours.
The person receiving the complaint will pass the information on to the Designated Teacher for Child Protection who will arrange for a suitable member of staff to talk with the child and, in most cases, his parent. Following consultation with the Headmaster and the receipt of advice from BELB Child Protection Officer. Social Services or PSNI, a referral may be made to an investigating agency.
It is unlikely that this procedure will be applied frequently, but the School wishes to comply with the best requirements in support of the pupils.
We, at Belfast Boys' Model School, always welcome contact from parents and carers to advise us of all concerns and queries regarding your child's experiences in school.
A full version of Belfast Boys' Model Child Protection Policy is available. If you would like a copy please contact the Headmaster's secretary by phoning 028 9039 1156 or e-mail to .