Children First
Children First Child Protection Training for Early Years Settings
Tusla – Child and Family Agency, new Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook 2. The Practice Handbook 2 is published as a companion document to the 2011 HSE Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (DCYA 2017).
The content of the Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook 2 was compiled from submissions from numerous stakeholders and content experts, both within Tusla and from partner agencies with particular expertise. The new Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook 2 is written for use by front-line social workers, their line managers and other professionals. Practice Handbook 2 is divided into four sections, following the categories identified in Children First: National Guidance (DCYA 2017: 11–12): Parent or Carer Factors, Child Factors, Community Factors, and Environmental Factors. Chapters are provided under each of these headings on factors identified in Children First: National Guidance as well as some additional areas. Chapters provide a short description of each topic area, followed by some key messages from research and a practice note to assist professionals in making evidence informed decisions and judgements.
The Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook 2 can be found on the Tusla Website;
https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Tusla_Child_Protection_Handbook2.pdf
Current Children First Training available here
Link below to 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)
Child Protection - Safeguarding Statement
See below documentation to support you in doing your own Child Safeguarding Statement
Child Safeguarding Statement Template for Early Years Feb 2018
Developing a Child Safeguarding Statement A Guide for Early Years Services in Ireland Feb 2018
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.
