Child protection measures
18.—(1) It shall be the duty of the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school—
(a)to determine the measures to be taken at the school (whether by the Board of Governors, the staff of the school or other persons) with a view to protecting pupils from abuse (whether at school or elsewhere);
(b)to review those measures—
(i)from time to time; and
(ii)(without prejudice to head (i)) at such times as the Department may direct;
(c)in determining or reviewing those measures to have regard to any guidance given by the Department, the board for the area in which the school is situated and (in the case of a Catholic maintained school) the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools;
(d)to prepare a written statement of such measures and to secure that—
(i)a copy of that statement is given (free of charge) to the parents of all registered pupils at the school and to the staff of the school; and
(ii)copies of the statement are available for inspection (at all reasonable times and free of charge) at the school; and
(e)to secure that such measures are taken.
(2) Directions under paragraph (1)(b)(ii) may be given—
(a)in relation to grant-aided schools generally;
(b)in relation to a class or description of grant-aided school; or
(c)in relation to any particular grant-aided school or schools.
(3) In this Article “abuse” includes sexual abuse and abuse causing physical or mental harm to a child.