Child Protection Procedures
Child Protection Procedures are set out in Circular 81/2017 (PDF).
Child Protection Procedures for Schools (pdf) reflect Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 (PDF) and the Children First Act (2015).
The 2017 procedures stipulate that all BOMs are required to formally adopt and implement these revised procedures as part of the school’s CSS.
Child Protection Procedures 2017 (PDF) / Nósanna Imeachta um Chosaint Leanaí (PDF)
Appendix 1 – Schedule of Mandated Persons Under the Children First Act 2015 (PDF) / Aguisín 1: Sceideal na nDaoine faoi Shainordú faoin Acht um Thús Áite do Leanaí 2015 (PDF)
Appendix 2 – Sexual Offences as set out in the Children First Act 2015 (PDF) / Aguisín 2: Cionta Gnéasacha mar a leagtar amach san Acht um Thús Áite do Leanaí 2015 (PDF)
Appendix 3 – Protocol authorising immediate action (PDF) / Aguisín 3: Prótacal a údaraíonn beart láithreach (PDF)
Appendix 4 – Summary of Record Keeping Requirements (PDF) / Aguisín 4: Achoimre ar riachtanais coinneáil taifead (PDF)
Child Protection Compliance
As part of additional oversight arrangements, the 2017 Child Protection procedures state that, “the Inspectorate will monitor compliance of schools with the requirements of the child protection procedures…” including with regard to the CSS and the school’s oversight arrangements.
With regards to Child Protection the role of the Inspectorate is solely to check for compliance and that its aim is, “to ensure the education sector can be satisfied and can demonstrate that our schools are in full compliance with Children First 2015 and with the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017”.
Circular 0072/2020 (PDF)
Guide to child protection and safeguarding inspections (PDF)
There are 3 different levels of Checks which can be undertaken by the Inspectorate. The templates below provide the detail and additional information in relation to the checks to be undertaken and the format of the inspection.
Level 1 Monitoring (PDF)
Child Protection Inspection – 3 Checks
Level 2 Monitoring (PDF)
Child Protection Inspection – 8 Checks
Level 3 Child Protection Safeguarding Inspection (PDF)
10 Overarching Checks (65 sub-checks)
