At Powerstown Educate Together National School, the safety, wellbeing and best interests of every child are at the heart of our work. We are committed to providing a safe, caring, inclusive and respectful school environment where every child feels valued, listened to and supported.
Our Child Safeguarding Statement
In accordance with the Children First Act 2015 and the Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, our Board of Management has adopted a Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
Our Child Safeguarding Statement sets out the procedures, practices and measures we have in place to safeguard children and respond appropriately where a concern about a child’s safety or welfare arises.
Our Risk Assessment considers the different activities that take place across school life, identifies potential risks of harm to children and records the procedures and measures we use to minimise those risks.
Safeguarding is an ongoing process. Our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment are reviewed annually by the Board of Management, with opportunities for pupils, parents/guardians and school personnel to contribute their views to the review process.
Who should I contact if I have a concern?
The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is the person in our school with responsibility for dealing with child protection concerns in accordance with the Child Protection Procedures.
Designated Liaison Person (DLP):
Helena Trench, Principal
Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP):
Aoife McGonigle, Deputy Principal
If you have a concern about the safety, protection or welfare of a child, please contact the school and ask to speak with the DLP.
Helping Children Know Who to Talk To
Safeguarding is also about ensuring that children understand that they have a voice and know where they can seek help.
Through SPHE, Stay Safe and our wider school practices, children are supported to identify trusted adults they can speak to if they are worried, upset, uncomfortable or feel unsafe.
Importantly, a child does not have to find the DLP themselves. They can speak to any trusted adult in school, who will know what to do with the concern.
Working Together
Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility. We value the contribution of children, parents and guardians, staff, the Board of Management and relevant external agencies in helping us continually strengthen safeguarding practice at PETNS.
We encourage parents and guardians to become familiar with our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment and to participate in our annual safeguarding review.
On this page you can access:
- Child Safeguarding Statement & Risk Assessment
- Annual Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement
- Parent/Guardian Safeguarding Information
- Child-Friendly Safeguarding Information
- Information on our DLP and Deputy DLP
- Relevant Child Protection Procedures and guidance
If you have a concern about a particular child, please contact the school directly rather than using a general feedback or survey form.
Our commitment
Every child has the right to feel safe, to be listened to and to know that adults will act when they need help.
At Powerstown ETNS, safeguarding is not simply a policy or an annual review — it is part of how we work together every day to create a safe, happy and inclusive school for every child.