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&A and a Facebook Webinar, along with all other documents, appendices and templates on the procedures below.
INTO Questions and Answers (pdf, 124 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 https://www.facebook.com/INTOnews/videos/882889715214006/
Facebook Live Webinar
Update on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Support Arrangements - February 2018 (pdf, 362 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017
Appendix 1 - Schedule of Mandated Persons Under the Children First Act 2015 (pdf, 390 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
Appendix 2 - Sexual Offences as set out in the Children First Act 2015 (pdf, 289 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
Appendix 3 - Protocol authorising immediate action (pdf, 329 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
Appendix 4 - Summary of Record Keeping Requirements (pdf, 435 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
Template 1 - Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment (doc, 15 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
Template 3 - Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement (doc, 15 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
Template 4 - Notification re. the Board of Management’s Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement (doc, 12 kb)
Child Protection Procedures 2017 As Gaeilge
DES Resources
Links to the Department of Education and Skills (DES) Child Protection FAQ and templates can be found here:
- Template Check List for CPOR
- Template for recording documents provided to the Board of Management
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