Primary and post-primary · Ireland

Safeguarding in schools.

How the Children First Act 2015 and the Department of Education's Child Protection Procedures fit together, and where schools most often find a gap.

Two frameworks, one obligation

The Department procedures give effect to the Children First Act 2015.

Recognised schools follow the Department's Child Protection Procedures, which implement the Children First Act 2015 in a school setting. Following them is how a school meets the Children First Act 2015, not an alternative to it.

The statutory duties underneath do not change. Registered teachers remain mandated persons under Schedule 2, and that obligation belongs to each teacher personally.

Principal as designated liaison person

With a deputy appointed. Both need preparing for the role rather than only naming in it.

Teachers are mandated persons

Personally. The principal cannot report on their behalf, though a joint report satisfies both.

Your own risk assessment

Describing your buildings, your supervision, your trips and your activities rather than a template's.

External providers on site

After-school clubs and coaches have obligations of their own. Whose procedures apply should be clear in writing.

Answers

Questions schools ask most.

Do schools follow the Children First Act 2015 or the Department procedures?

Both. Recognised schools follow the Department of Education's Child Protection Procedures, which give effect to the Children First Act 2015 in a school setting. The statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 remain.

Who is the designated liaison person in a school?

In a recognised school the principal is the designated liaison person, with a deputy designated liaison person appointed as well. Both should be prepared for the role rather than only named in it.

Are teachers mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015?

Registered teachers are listed in Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015. The obligation is personal to the teacher and cannot be discharged on their behalf by the principal.

What about after-school clubs and external coaches?

Anybody providing a relevant service to children on school premises has obligations of their own. Where the school engages them, the arrangement should be clear in writing about whose procedures apply.

Do we need our own risk assessment?

Yes. Departmental templates are a framework; the assessment has to describe your school — your buildings, your supervision arrangements, your trips, and your particular activities.

Who you would be working with

Fifteen years leading Ireland's national child protection unit.

Senior Investigating Officer with An Garda Síochána, leading three national units: the National Child Protection Unit, the Sexual Crime Management Unit and the Online Child Exploitation Unit. Ireland's National Expert to Interpol and Europol on child safeguarding.

Safeguarding policy developed with Tusla, the HSE and three government departments. M.Sc. in Child Protection and Welfare, Trinity College Dublin. More about Michael

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