AQW 45533/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education

To ask the Minister of Education whether the Education Authority has a central policy to ensure schools adequately handle incidents of children and young people experiencing harmful sexual behaviour by other school pupils.

Asked by Michelle Guy MLA on 5 May 2026

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
5 May 2026
Answer due by
20 May 2026
Answered
14 May 20269 days after tabling
Department
Department of Education
Priority question
No

Answer

The DE Circular 2022/02 - Children Who Display Harmful Sexual Behaviour provides guidance to support the handling of incidents of potential or actual Harmful Sexual Behaviour.

Procedures for recording all safeguarding and child protection concerns are outlined in Circular 2020/07 - Child Protection: Record Keeping in Schools. This policy circular makes clear that accurate recording of child protection concerns by schools is essential. The CPSS keep records of the number of children who come to their attention regarding Harmful Sexual Behaviour, and the types of support offered.

Official sources