Rationale 

This policy, the terms and conditions and the attached agreement was compiled in line with Department of Education and Skills Circular 10/2013 in relation to essential assistive technology equipment for pupils with physical or communicative disabilities. 

The purpose of the document is to ensure clear guidelines for home use of specialist equipment which has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as being essential for pupils who have been diagnosed as: 

• having a serious disability 
• and/or sensory or communicative disability to the extent that their ability to communicate through the medium of speech or writing is materially curtailed 
• where it is clear that existing equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child’s needs 

• where without such equipment it will not be possible for such children to access the school curriculum 

Any equipment purchased by the school under Department of Education and Skills Guidelines remains the property of the school and should normally be kept in the school. However, the Board of Management may, in certain circumstances, allow the use of the equipment in the pupil’s home. Such a circumstance might be where it is agreed that the pupil could potentially benefit from, or achieve a degree of improvement to their academic and educational performance, their learning and their completion of homework through the use of technical support or equipment such as a school laptop. 

This agreement endeavours to ensure the safe custody and handling of the equipment when in the care of the pupil outside of the school. 

Procedure to allow Pupil to take Assistive Technology home 

1. Parent must write a brief letter outlining the reason why they believe it is necessary for the pupil to bring the assistive technology home. 

2. The letter will be brought to the attention of the Board of Management and a decision made. The principal may give permission on a provisional basis until the next Board of management meeting. 

3. Parent will be required to read in full and agree to the Terms and Conditions attached to this policy. 

This Policy, the Terms and Conditions and the Agreement was proposed and ratified by the Board of Management on 10/12/2020 

Signature of Chairperson: Jim O’Connell   

Date:11/12/2020  

Terms and Conditions: 

1. The laptop (or any other approved assistive technology/equipment) remains the property of Dripsey NS. 

2. Should the designated pupil change school, including to post primary, the School will consult with the SENO with regard to the transfer of any approved assistive technology/equipment with the pupil where it is still appropriate for the pupil’s assessed needs. The final decision regarding transfer will rest with the School’s Board of Management. 

3. The laptop (or any other approved assistive technology/equipment)will be used solely by the designated pupil and will not be used by or transferred to a third party. 

4. The parent will remind and teach their child to take due care of the laptop (or any other approved assistive technology/equipment) at all times when handling, transporting and using the laptop/equipment. 

• It is not to be left unattended in a public place.  
• It is not to be left unattended in a classroom or other place in the school. 
• All laptop leads must be unplugged from sockets and all accessories are to be stored safely and securely in the laptop case, with the laptop when work is complete. 

• It is not be left in plain view in an unattended or unsecured vehicle but kept out of sight in the locked boot. 
• It is not to be interfered with, tampered with or altered by a third party.  

5. The laptop will be used solely to assist with typing skills, completion of homework assignments and other school related activities. Only school approved software packages/applications may be used. 

6. The designated pupil will have use of the laptop each evening from Monday to Thursday during school terms and it is to be returned to the school on Fridays for safe keeping over the weekends if requested by the school. 

7. The laptop must be returned to the school in good working order on or before the last day of the school year or earlier if requested by the School. 

8. The laptop is covered under school insurance, however, the parent must take reasonable care to avoid damage or loss.  

9. Use of the laptop and including all internet usage will be supervised by a parent and will be of an appropriate nature to minimise pupil’s exposure to inappropriate material. 

10. The School will make regular checks to update the laptops, ensuring that anti-virus software is kept up to date and also to check for inappropriate use. 

11. The laptop will be used lawfully and in accordance with the school’s Acceptable Use Policy regarding the ethical use of technology, use of legal software, use of the Internet and the protection of personal data. The parent shall agree to review and adhere to the current School Acceptable Use Policy, specifically where this policy relates to the safe and appropriate use of approved IT equipment such as laptops. 

12. The following is deemed by the School as being completely unacceptable and will result in the equipment being re-claimed: 

• Accessing, transmitting or receiving obscene or pornographic material 
• Engaging in cyber cheating or plagiarism (taking material created by others and presenting it as if it were one’s own) 

• Engaging in cyber bullying 
• Downloading or loading software or applications that are not approved by the school 

13. The laptop will be kept in good working order. All laptop faults, defects or malfunctions while in the care of the pupil are to be reported to the Principal or Class Teacher who will inform the teacher with responsibility for the servicing and upkeep of the laptop. 

14. Any repairs necessary due to damage caused to the laptop while in the care of the pupil will be arranged by the school and paid for by the parent of the pupil. 

15. The laptop will not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of. 

16. Any laptop markings, tags or plates or engravings will not be removed, concealed or altered. The laptop must not be marked in any way that might reduce the value of the laptop.  

17. If the laptop is lost, stolen or damaged the parent will advise the Principal and the Gardaí as soon as possibleorally and in writing including all relevant details, record of events etc. 

18. Due to current software licensing arrangements covering home use, the laptop package cannot be used for any commercial purpose.  

19. If any of these terms or conditions are breached, the School Board of Management may atany time revoke this arrangement.  

 Agreement for Signing by Pupil and Parent 

Re: Home Use of School Owned Assistive Technology 

Laptop Make and Serial Number: _________________________________________________ 

Value of laptop and software: ___________________________________________________ 

I confirm that I accept responsibility for taking into my possession a laptop (or any other approved assistive technology/equipment) which is the property of Dripsey NS  Roll Number: 17245B  after school on weeknights when my child requires it. 

I confirm that I have read, fully understand and accept the Terms and Conditions attached to this agreement and other relevant policies as are determined by Dripsey NS 

Name of Pupil: _______________________  Class: _______ Teacher: ___________________ 

Signature of Pupil: _____________________________________________ 

Name of Parent/Guardian (BLOCK CAPITALS):______________________________________ 

Signature of Parent/Guardian:______________________________Date:______________ 

Address:______________________________________________________________________ 

Contact Numbers: Home: _____________________      Mobile: ________________________ 

Signature of Principal: _____________________________________