In St. Malachy's we have a responsibility for the safeguarding and child protection of the children in our care and we will carry out this duty by providing a caring, supportive and safe environment, where each child is valued for his or her unique talents and abilities, and in which all our young people can learn and develop to their full potential. 

The following principles form the basis of our Child Protection Policy.
• It is a child’s right to feel safe at all times, to be heard, listened to and taken seriously.
• We have a pastoral responsibility towards the children in our care and should take all reasonable steps to ensure their welfare is safeguarded and their safety is preserved.
• In any incident the child’s welfare must be paramount, this overrides all other considerations.
• A proper balance must be struck between protecting children and respecting the rights and needs of parents and families; but where there is conflict the child’s interest must always come first.

We see ourselves as developing relationships with children and parents that are built on mutual trust to foster learning in an environment where children feel happy, safe and secure.

The members of our Safeguarding Team are:

Mr Joe Ryan - Chairperson of the Board of Governors.

Mr Michael Campbell - Child Protection Governor.

Mrs Caitriona Donnelly - Designated Teacher for Child Protection.

Mrs Catherine Kearney - Designated Teacher for Child Protection.

Mr Paul Duggan - Principal .

If you are a ‘Newcomer’ family and English is not your first language, please ask the office for a Child Protection Policy in your home language. An interpreter can be organised if necessary. Please contact the school office for further details