Child Protection

What are the key changes?

  • All registered teachers are now deemed to be ‘Mandated Persons’
  • Mandated Persons must assist Tusla (Child and Family Agency) if requested in assessing a concern arising from a mandatory report
  • All teachers are obliged to report child protection concerns above a ‘threshold of harm’
  • Schools must conduct a risk assessment and produce a Child Safeguarding Statement on or before March 11th 2018
  • The Act abolishes the common law defence of reasonable chastisement.

What should schools prioritise immediately in relation to Children First 2015?

  • Arrange for the development and production of a Child Safeguarding Statement before March 11th 2018. IPPN will be providing support to school leaders in relation to this essential compliance measure through
    • IPPN Conference 2018 Workshop
    • Series of face-to-face Briefing Seminars beginning immediately after Conference. Schedule to follow.
  • Arrange for ALL staff to view the Tusla (universal) Child Protection e-learning module accessible on . Refer to circular 0081/2017 in relation to half-day school closures permitted for the purpose of this training. Record attendance at this training by retaining copies of assessments completed on completion of the e-learning module.

Click here to view IPPN’s Child Protection Resource Bundle

IPPN Sponsors

 

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