The National Child Safeguarding Committee; Early Learning and Care was set up in 2012 following a number of developments in the Early Years Sector, including the establishment of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2011 and the launch of the updated publication of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, also in 2011. The Children First National Guidance was fully revised and published in 2017 to include reference to the Children First Act 2015. The Committee was developed with the primary aim of addressing the implementation of Children First in the Early Years Sector.
The Committee is charged with coordinating the delivery of Child Protection Training nationally in a consistent approach. Thus a Sectoral Training Plan was developed under four headings:
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- Training
- Communication
- Policy & Procedure
- Quality Assurance
◊Resources:
Essential reading for Childcare Practitioners
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➡️ A Guide for thereporting of Child Protection and Welfare Concerns |
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◊Child Safeguarding Statement
A Child Safeguarding Statement is a written statement that specifies the service being provided and the principles and procedures to be observed in order to ensure, as far as practicable, that a child availing of the service is safe from harm. It includes a risk assessment, measures to manage any risks and a number of mandatory safeguarding policies and procedures.
Early years services (including preschools and school age services) who employ at least one other person will have a legal obligation to publish a Child Safeguarding Statement.
For further information: https://www.tusla.ie/about/child-safety-statement/
Child Safeguarding Statement ELC Template (Oct 2020)
Child Safeguarding Statement ELC Information Sheet July 2020
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If you are a pre-school or a school-age service who employs more than one person you are legally required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement. |
◊E-Learning: Introduction to Children First and Children First Child Protection Revision Webinar
E-Learning :Introduction to Children First |
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Children First Child ProtectionRevision Webinar |
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Everyone in the sector including all owners, boards of management and early years staff are being asked to complete this online course which provides introductory information on child protection and mandated reporting.
This short video that introduces the e-learning module can be found here, it covers what is in the module. |
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This webinar was developed to highlight the key elements of the face-to-face Always Children First Foundation training while it is on hold due to Covid-19 and current public health advice. Its purpose is to serve as an interim revision resource for ELC practitioners, SAC practitioners and Childminders. |
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The E-learning course can be accessed through either of these links :
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◊Garda Vetting
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Under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016, it is compulsory for employers to obtain vetting disclosures in relation to
anyone who is carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable adults.
ELC as relevant work: Any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children in – (a) an establishment which provides preschool services within the meaning of Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991
Statutory obligations on employers in relation to Garda vetting requirements for persons working with children and vulnerable adults are set out in National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016
The Acts create offences and penalties for persons who fail to comply with its provisions.
The National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána issues vetting disclosures to organisations employing people who work in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or student placement basis with children and/or vulnerable adults.
The National Vetting Bureau does not decide on the suitability of any person to work with children and vulnerable adults. Rather, in response to a written request for vetting, the National Vetting Bureau releases criminal history and other specified information on the person to be vetted to the prospective recruiting organisation.
Early Learning and Care services should have their own criteria in place to decide on the suitability of persons to work in their service.
◊Mandated Persons
WHO ARE MANDATED PERSONS?
Mandated Persons are people who have contact with children and families and who, because of their qualifications, training and/or employment role, are in a key position to help protect children from harm.
Many groups of professionals who will be Mandated Persons under the Act.
If you work in an early years setting you are a Mandated Person if you are:
- A person carrying on a pre-school service within the meaning of Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991.
- A child care staff member employed in a pre-school service within the meaning of Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991
If you run or own pre-school service that is required to register with the Early Years Inspectorate, then you are a Mandated Person.
For more information, see Chapter 3 of Children First National Guidance 2017 and the A Guide to reporting Child Protection and Welfare Concerns
◊Designated Liaison Person
◊Child Protection and the Pre-School Regulations
Childcare Providers are obliged under Regulation 9 of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006 to have a Child Protection Policy based on Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children in operation. Clear written guidelines on identifying and reporting child abuse should be developed by the childcare service.
◊Child Protection Training for Early Years Settings
Training for Early Learning and Care settings and School Age Childcare settings has temporarily suspended due to current governement restrictions.
Please see the section above E-Learning: Introduction to Children First and Children First Child Protection Revision Webinar