What parents need to know about child safeguarding in organisations

Responsibilities of Organisations under Children First  

Under Children First, National Guidance for the protection and Welfare of Children, all organisations that provide services to children should develop specific policies and procedures on how to keep your child safe. 

The Children First Act 2015 places obligations on organisations that are called ‘providers of relevant services’ to have a Child Safeguarding Statement in place. Relevant services include early years services, schools, hospitals and health centres, sports clubs, etc. As a parent, you have a right to request a copy of this statement and the policies and procedures that the organisations have in place. 

This short video, from Tusla’s Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit (CSSCU), provides information on what a child safeguarding statement is. This video aims to help you, as a parent, understand the responsibilities of certain organisations to keep children safe, while they are attending them. If you have additional questions or concerns about an organisation’s child safeguarding statement, you can contact the CSSCU at csscu@tusla.ie. 

If an organisation does not have a Child Safeguarding Statement or fails to make one available to you on request, you can contact the Tusla Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit.   

There are some services that are not required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement in place under the Children First Act 2015 . However, Children First Guidance and best practice suggests that they have child safeguarding policies and procedures in place to keep children safe. 

Tusla's Children First Governance Framework sets out four pillars to support all organisations knowledge in understanding and implementing Children First.  

What I need to know as a Parent/Carer? 

What is Child Safeguarding? 

Child Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Those running activities and delivering services have a duty of care to children and young people and must always ensure a child's safety and well-being. Organisations need to show that they are establishing a positive child safeguarding culture and supportive environments. 

In services for children and young people, child safeguarding means ensuring safe practice and appropriate responses by all workers and volunteers to concerns about the safety or welfare of children, should these arise.  

Child safeguarding is about protecting the child from harm, promoting their welfare and in doing so creating an environment which enables children and young people to grow, develop and achieve their full potential. It means keeping children safe from abuse, and having robust child safeguarding policies, trained staff, and clear procedures to address concerns and practice issues which parents/carers should be aware of. 

By understanding the importance of child safeguarding and recognising potential risks or issues, parents/carers can contribute to ensuring that there is a culture of safety and protection. 

Know the Signs  

Learning about the various types of abuse—physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect—means parents and carers can recognise potential issues early on. Early recognition allows timely action to protect children and young people, address any concerns, and help prevent further harm. 

Organisations put in place child safeguarding measures to minimise the risk of such harm, and to ensure a quick response if they become concerned that a child is being abused or at risk of abuse. Organisations develop codes of behaviour/conduct to ensure good practice and safe practice when working with your children. If you believe the relevant safeguarding policies and codes of conduct/ behaviour are not understood or followed by staff or volunteers, you should raise this with the organisation. 

Ask the right questions 

Parents and carers should be assured that the organisation or service has adequate child safeguarding policies/procedures and suitably trained staff to safeguard children and young people. 

Parents/carers may find it useful to ask the following questions: 

• Can you tell me what child safeguarding measures you have in place? 
• Do you have a Child Safeguarding Statement and policies and procedures to support it? 
• Do you have a Code of Behaviour/Conduct for working safely with children? 
• Do staff and volunteers go through a recruitment process including being garda-vetted? 
• Are staff and volunteers trained in safeguarding? 
• Who is the Designated Liaison Person and how can I contact them? 
• What action/follow up will your organisation take:
  • If I have a child safeguarding concern or a concern about poor practice matter? 
  • If I want to give feedback on my child’s experience, whether good or bad? 
  • To provide assurances to parents that all children will be treated equally and included? 
  • To ensure that all your staff and volunteers know they are responsible for ensuring that all child safeguarding measures are implemented? 

As a parent, if you are concerned for the welfare or protection of your child or any child, and are not satisfied with an organisation’s response, you should report directly to Tusla.