Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children was first published in 1999 and was fully revised and updated in 2017.
The guidance seeks to assist people to recognise where a child is being abused or neglected, and to report reasonable concerns about abuse or neglect to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The guidance also assists organisations working with children with information about best practice in child safeguarding.
The most recent version of the Children First Guidance in 2017 also incorporates information on the Children First Act 2015 and in particular, sets out the specific child protection statutory obligations imposed on certain categories of persons and organisations under that Act.
In January 2019 the Guidance was amended by way of an addendum to ensure that online safety is specifically accounted for in child safeguarding statements. Click the image above access and download this document.
Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post primary Schools 2017: The purpose of the procedures is to give clear direction and guidance to school authorities and to school personnel in relation to meeting the statutory obligations under the Children First Act, 2015 and in the continued implementation within the school setting of the best practice guidance set out in the updated Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017.
The procedures apply to all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to all members of school personnel. Click the image to the left to download this document.
In accordance with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, the Addendum to Children First (2019) and 2025, Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 and Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, 2nd ed. (Tusla, 2024), the board of management has adopted the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment set out in this document.
The board of management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the department’s Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 as part of this overall Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment.
Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP)
The Board of Management of Ballinamore CS has appointed:
- Mr Diarmuid McCaffrey as DLP
- Mr Martin Cunnane as DDLP