Child Safeguarding Statement & Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan

The Children First Act 2015 requires organisations that are providers of ‘relevant services’ under the Act to publish a Child Safeguarding Statement. This statement details the relevant services provided by staff of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to children as well as the principles and procedures in place to safeguard children from harm while availing of those services.

This statement has been prepared in line with Tusla’s Guidance on Developing a Child Safeguarding Statement, Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children as well as the Addendum to Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children which deals with online safety.

This Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan relates to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. This includes the:

• department
• agencies and offices under its aegis

This plan outlines the programme of measures taken, or proposed to be taken, to ensure compliance with the Children First Act 2015 and with the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children by:

• the department itself
• any agency or body that provides a relevant service and receives funding from the department in that regard

The plan contains information on the:

• relevant services provided by or on behalf of the department
• measures taken or proposed to be taken to promote, review and report on compliance under the legislation and guidance
• monitoring and review procedures in relation to the Sectoral Implementation Plan