Children First

Children First Child Protection Training for Early Years Settings

 

Updated - November 2017

As the Early Years Child Protection Programme prepares for full commencement of the Children First Act, 2015 on Dec 11th , South Dublin CCC have been advised to hold off on Child Protection training delivery from November 11th, 2017 – January 11th, 2018. This applies to the Foundation level, the Refresher training and the Child Protection & Welfare Policy Implementation workshops.

Once we have received updated materials and guidance from National Early Years Children First Coordinator we will recommence these training workshops.


In the meantime we would recommend that you read the new guidance and support documents as they are very helpful in understanding the new requirements around mandated persons and safety statements. These are available from the below link to the Tusla website:

 http://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-2017/

 Another Helpful document to help you prepare for the New Children First Act 2015 (see below link)

  pdf Early Years Child Protection - 5 Steps to prepare for New Children First Act 2015 - Mandatory Reporting of Child Protection Concerns – Commencing December 11th, 2017 (384 KB)

 Child Protection -  Safeguarding Statement

See below documentation to support you in doing your own Child Safeguarding Statement

document Responding to and Reporting a Child Protection or Welfare Concern Draft Policy for Early Years Services Feb 2018 (51 KB)

document Child Safeguarding Statement Template for Early Years Feb 2018 (55 KB)

pdf Developing a Child Safeguarding Statement A Guide for Early Years Services in Ireland Feb 2018 (1.00 MB)

 

Introduction to Children First’  E-learning Programme 

 http://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme

 

Tusla has developed a universal e-learning training programme called ‘Introduction to Children First’. The programme has been written to support people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise. This Introduction does not replace the certified Children First training.

 

The programme is based on Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the Children First Act 2015.

 

The programme takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete but it can be done in a number of sittings. It covers topics including: 

  • Recognising and reporting child abuse;
  • The role of mandated persons;
  • The responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children;
  • The role of designated liaison persons.

This is an just an introduction. All staff are recommended to attend the full day Foundation  level once it is back up and running.