Policy information
Child protection procedures in schools
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The Department of Education is responsible for developing and implementing child protection procedures for schools based on the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017.
The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) aims to give direction to school management and staff regarding the identification of and response to child protection concerns and the process for continued support of the child.
When conducting a whole school evaluation, department inspectors check that a school is complying with the requirements of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) . Where an inspector identifies deficiencies in relation to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) he/she will immediately bring this to the attention of school management.
Any deficiency is considered by the department as serious and school management will be advised that the issues identified should be addressed without delay. Where a subsequent recommendation is made in a publishable report, the inspector will inform school management that the department expects the board to use the school response form to confirm that the issues have been addressed.
Following engagement between the Department of Education and the Education partners the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 have been revised.
The 2023 procedures have been updated to take account of recent policy and legislative developments which include General Data Protection Regulation, the Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 and the Teaching Council (Information to be Furnished by Employer in Case of Dismissal or Resignation of Registered Teacher) Regulations 2023.
The revised procedures are effective from 1 September 2023. Circular 0036/2023 details the changes to the child protection procedures for schools.
0036/2023
Circular on the Publication of Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023)
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Supporting documents and templates for schools are available at: Child Protection Procedures in Schools.
On 31 March 2023 the Department published Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 to inform the management of all boarding facilities of what is required of them in their implementation of the Children First Act 2015 and to ensure that arrangements for the oversight of the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, including Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, are in place across all boarding facilities.
The Guide to Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection in Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023 sets out how we conduct Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection in Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools and is effective from April 2023.
A High Level Independent Review of the Department of Education’s Current Child Protection Policies and Processes was conducted in 2021. The review examined the policies and processes that the Department of Education has in place with regards to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people. The aim of the review was to identify any existing and/or potential gaps, risks or areas for improvement and to make recommendations for improvements both short and long term. The reviewer noted that the Department of Education takes its responsibilities for child protection very seriously and that the Department is to be commended for the actions it has taken. The reviewer made seventeen recommendations around improving the Department of Education’s oversight of child protection in the education sector. The Department is working with the Education Partners to consider and implement the recommendations contained in the report.
High Level Independent Review of the Department of Education’s Current Child Protection Policies and Processes
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The Department would like to draw your attention to the following online training resource that are available for child protection.
The Department would like to draw your attention to the following online training resources that are available for child protection and safeguarding.
For all school personnel
For mandated persons
For DLPs/DDLPs
Child Protection and Safeguarding for Boarding Facilities associated with Recognised Schools 2023
Online Safety Advice and Resources
Department Wellbeing Directory
- Email: childprotection@education.gov.ie
- Address: Child Protection and Parental Complaints Section, Parents and Learners Unit, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 X659
- Phone: +353 (0) 9064 84099
- Child Protection in Schools Information for parents and guardians
- Hotline.ie - report Child Sexual Abuse Material on the Internet
- PDST Child Protection e-learning
- School policies