Reporting a concern if you are worried about a child

Everyone has a responsibility to keep children and young people safe from abuse and neglect.

If you are worried about a child but unsure whether you should report it to Tusla, you may find it useful to contact Tusla social work to informally discuss the issue.

If you have a child protection or welfare concern, you should formally report to Tusla.

In cases of emergency, where a child or young person appears to be at immediate and serious risk, contact An Garda Síochána.

This section provides information on making a report to Tusla as a Mandated Person, an individual working with children and young people and how parents/guardians, young people, and the general public can report a concern.

If you have a concern, or want to discuss a potential child protection and welfare matter, then you can contact a social worker in your area.

If you are a Mandated Person, you are obliged to report any knowledge, belief, or reasonable suspicion that a child or young person has been harmed, is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed.

See more information on how to make a mandated report.

The Tusla Portal allows professionals to securely submit Child Protection and Welfare Report Forms (CPWRFs) and Retrospective Abuse Report Forms (RARFs) to Tusla online.

Learn more about the Tusla Portal.

If a child or young person needs help or advice, they can contact Tusla by using the Get in Touch form on Changing Futures, a website created by young people for young people.

Children and young people can contact Tusla by going to Changing Futures.