Child Protection in IPAS Accommodation Centres

We all have responsibility to protect children and young people in our centres and to create an environment to make our children’s lives better and safer.

It is vital that all staff and volunteers in our centres recognise when a child is being harmed and that they understand how to react. The Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children outlines steps to take to ensure children are protected from harm. The Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children includes information about the Children First Act 2015 and this includes detailed information for the professionals and organisations that have legal obligations to keep children safe. Child welfare and protection policy is based on a legal framework provided by the Child Care Act 1991 and the Children First Act 2015. The policy and practice that applies in this area is outlined in the National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

There is a free online child welfare and protection training module which is mandatory for all IPAS accommodation centre staff available on the Tusla Website, www.tusla.ie IPAS also provide follow up Children First Foundation Training for all IPAS staff and IPAS accommodation centre staff nationwide.