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DES Child Protection Procedures

Child Protection Procedures: Circular 81/2017

Child Protection Procedures for Schools reflect Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Children First Act (2015) .

These procedures became effective from 11 December 2017 (Circular 81/2017) apart from the requirement to prepare and display a written Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) which must be done before 11 March 2018. From that date the requirement to have a CSS replaces the previous requirement to have a Child Protection Policy.

The 2017 procedures stipulate that all BOMs are required to formally adopt and implement these revised procedures as part of the school’s CSS.

2017 Procedures: Main provisions

For the most part the new 2017 procedures build on and/or continue the existing 2011 procedures. Key provisions include:

• The obligation on every school to prepare and publish its own CSS before 11 March 2018.
• A new threshold and definition of “harm” as laid down in the Children First Act, 2015.
• The continued requirement to report any reasonable concern of abuse or neglect.
• Prescribing that every registered teacher is now a “mandated person” for reporting instances of “harm”.
• The retention of the role of DLP and deputy DLP with some variations in the case of mandated reports.
• New oversight arrangements – including record keeping and reports to parents and BOMs.
• Retention of the right to seek advice about whether or not to make a report to Tusla and about the type of report.
• A new Child Protection and Welfare Report Form.
• Continued emphasis on confidentiality in child protection matters and a legal prohibition on the disclosure of information to third parties.
• A statutory requirement to assist Tusla in its assessment and investigation of reports.

Please find a Q and A and a Facebook Webinar, along with all other documents, appendices and templates on the procedures below.

Children First Training Videos

Click on the link to access 2 online courses from the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) on the Child Protection Procedures.

• Course 1: Designated Liaison Persons and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons
• Course 2: All School Personnel

Click on the link and create an account to watch a 90-minute training programme designed by TUSLA/CFA for Children First

• Create an account to watch the video here