I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
Circular letter M18/99 provides guidelines on violence in schools for second level schools and is not applicable to designated centres of education.
The Operator Guidelines for the Youthreach Programme provide that all centres should have in place an up to date health and safety statement, based on the ETB master statement and that staff should implement health and safety procedures as required by legislation including all of the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work legislation.
The Guidelines include information for centres on the development of codes of behaviour that outline expectations for learner behaviour and indicate that learners joining the programme should be made aware of the code and commit to following it. The Guidelines recommend that all participants (and their parents if they are under 18) sign a contract on recruitment setting out the responsibilities of the programme and registering their commitment to observe the code of behaviour. The guidelines set out a range of issues that should be included in the contract which includes health and safety and also provision for the suspension or expulsion of learners where the safety and welfare of staff or learners is a concern.
Supporting good behaviour among learners is a core element of the programme provided in Youthreach. Information on how staff should deal with behaviour problems are included in the Guidelines, acknowledging that prevention is important and that staff may require training in order to respond appropriately.
The Guidelines indicate that the support of staff and the maintenance and development of skills are the responsibility of Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Training in this area may be carried out under the CPD allocation made by ETBs.
