Child Protection
Children First Act 2015 and Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017
On 11 December 2017 the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs commenced the remaining provisions of the Children First Act, 2015. The Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 published on 2 October 2017 also became operational on 11 December 2017.
The Children First Act, 2015 provides for a number of key child protection measures that are relevant to schools, as follows:
A requirement on organisations provided services to children, which includes all schools, to keep children safe and to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement;
A requirement on defined categories of persons (mandated persons), which includes registered teachers, to report child protection concerns over a defined threshold to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla);
A requirement on mandated persons which includes registered teachers, to assist Tusla in the assessment of a child protection risk, if so requested to do so by Tusla.
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Child Protection Procedures for Schools
Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 have been developed and published. The purpose of the procedures is to give clear direction and guidance to school authorities and to school personnel in relation to meeting the statutory obligations under the Children First Act, 2015 and in the continued implementation within the school setting of the best practice guidance set out in the updated Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017.
The procedures apply to all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to all members of school personnel.
Further Supports
Online Learning Programmes
As a first step, schools may access the universal online learning programme developed by Túsla which is currently available to schools on www.pdst.ie/childprotection (duration 1.5 hours).
Two further online learning programmes were designed by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and comprise the following:
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Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools
This 1.5 hours webinar for all school personnel will look at:
Legislation for child protection
Roles of mandated persons and DLP
How to report and record
How to handle a disclosure
Risk Assessment and the Development of Child Safeguarding Statement
This webinar is focused explicitly on supporting Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLPs) with a view to preparing a Risk Assessment and Child Safeguarding Statement by 11 March, 2018 and using the templates provided by the DE.
