Parents of children with additional needs attending Carrigaline Community Special School in Co Cork have expressed deep concern over the school’s continued closure.
The school shut its doors last Thursday after several staff members were injured in what are understood to have been alleged assaults while carrying out their duties.
In correspondence issued to families and seen by All About Cork, parents were informed that the school will now remain closed until Monday, March 9.
In a letter to parents and guardians, ETB Director of Schools Pat McKelvey thanked families for their patience as management works through a number of issues arising from last week’s incident.
He said it was with “the greatest of regret” that the school would not be in a position to reopen this week.
Mr McKelvey explained that in recent months there has been a marked rise in staff injuries occurring when some students became dysregulated. He stressed that such behaviours are beyond the children’s control, but said the resulting injuries have significantly impacted staff health and wellbeing, leading to a high level of injury-related leave.
He reassured parents that staff have always prioritised ensuring no child is harmed due to another student’s dysregulation.
As an employer, he said, the school has a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for staff and a safe setting for all students, while also maintaining a positive learning environment.
During the closure, management is working with staff to review procedures for managing behaviours of concern. This includes updating each student’s individual behaviour support plan, with parents to be contacted in the coming days regarding their child’s plan.
The school has also been liaising with Child Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), where appropriate with CAMHS, and with in-school therapists to ensure all possible supports are in place for students who struggle to regulate in school. Cooperation with these agencies is set to be strengthened as part of the review.
The letter concluded with an apology for the disruption caused, stating that efforts remain focused on safeguarding the wellbeing of staff and students and supporting the school’s long-term development.
Parents say the situation cannot be allowed to continue and must be resolved without further delay.
Carrigaline Community Special School provides an appropriate education for students, aged 4 to 18 years old, who have a diagnosis of Autism with a Mild or Moderate General Learning Disability.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said “The Department and the NCSE is in continuing engagement with Cork ETB since the incident last week and this builds on close engagement over recent months on a range of measures to support Carrigaline Special School.
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