The AGM and Conference was a resounding success, if the evaluations are to be believed.
Sr. Marie Carroll Chairperson outlined the previous years work and the organisation’s aspirations for the future. Our work is directed by the motions proposed and carried at the AGM. The motions this year called for action on: the governments deferral of EPSEN Act (2004) due to budget constraints, SERC still being used to dictate Administrative Principal status in schools for pupils with severe/profound disabilities, the withdrawal by the Minister for Education and Science of supports for OT and Speech and Language therapies, the need for funding and substitution for the training of staff in Manual Handling and Health and Safety, a weighting system for children with special education needs in mainstream schools, clarity regarding the criterion for the sanction of SNAs and a call for SENOs to see a child in situ before they refuse to sanction a SNA.
All these issues will be followed up with the relevant parties and a solution sought. Some meetings have already been arranged and we will keep you informed.
It would appear from feedback that our efforts to have the Bus Escort grant paid to schools closer to the time they are needed was successful. We would appeal to schools to get their returns in to DES as early as possible to facilitate early payment.
Conference
Patricia Shanahan of CAPP gave a very informative presentation on the duties and responsibilities of Boards of Management regarding Child Protection and outlined for us the increased risk for children with special needs. This also increases the responsibility of the BOM to have watertight policies and procedures in place and to review them regularly. The Board also has a duty to ensure that staff have the appropriate in-service to equip them for this.
David Ruddy B.L. spoke about the pitfalls of appointment procedures and how to avoid them. He also spoke of the need for BOMs to take great care in developing their policy on Codes of Behaviour. As usual David gave us this information in plain language and in a very engaging way.
Jacinta Kitt gave a talk entitled “Workplace Bullying, Myths and Misconceptions. Building a Positive Work Environment in Schools”. Her presentation dealt with this delicate subject in a very sensitive way while advising Boards of their responsibility to promote a positive environment in their school. Jacinta reminded us that ignoring the problem doesn’t work and in fact can make the situation much worse.
All these presentations are on the website www.nabmse.org and are well worth a look.
Note
The Brochure for the 2009 AGM/Conference will be
dispatched to all schools by September.
AGM & Conference,
All these issues will be followed up with the relevant parties and a solution sought. Some meetings have already been arranged and we will keep you informed.
Jacinta Kitt gave a talk entitled “Workplace Bullying, Myths and Misconceptions. Building a Positive Work Environment in Schools”. Her presentation dealt with this delicate subject in a very sensitive way while advising Boards of their responsibility to promote a positive environment in their school. Jacinta reminded us that ignoring the problem doesn’t work and in fact can make the situation much worse.
