National Children First Awareness Week Launches Today

Today marks the launch of Children First Awareness Week 2025, a national campaign to raise awareness of our responsibilities under Children First. 

There is a campaign every two years in September to raise awareness of the child safeguarding measures contained in Children First. 

This year’s campaign is about having a culture of openness and transparency around safeguarding measures in schools, clubs, and organisations.

Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley said:

“I’m really pleased to announce the launch of Children First Awareness Week 2025. 

This year’s campaign is about helping parents, guardians, and responsible adults to understand what they should expect from organisations working with children. 

That includes clear safeguarding policies, safe reporting channels, and respectful engagement. It is also about giving adults the knowledge and confidence to raise issues in schools, clubs and organisations where children spend their time.”

The Children First Act 2015 places obligations on organisations, and everyone, to take all the appropriate steps needed to ensure child protection and safeguarding measures are in place everywhere children are. 

Kate Duggan, CEO, Tusla, Child and Family Agency said: 

“Children First Awareness Week is an opportunity to highlight the importance of child safeguarding measures, and of the resources available to organisations, parents and the public.

Every organisation must ensure their Child Safeguarding Statement is up to date, clearly displayed, and supported by practices that are implemented every day.

Parents, guardians, and responsible adults should feel confident to ask questions about safeguarding measures in place within organisations to keep children safe. We all have a role to play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in our schools, clubs, and communities.”

As part of the week-long campaign, a wide range of Government Departments, agencies and organisations will be encouraging everyone involved to think about their responsibilities under Children First. This includes organisations from arts and culture to sports and recreation, and everything in between.

Information and resources are available on gov.ie/childrenfirst to support parents, guardians, communities, and organisations in strengthening safeguarding practices. 

Anyone who has a concern about a child or young person should report it to Tusla.

This is the third Children First Awareness Week, a whole-of-Government partnership across all the agencies working with and providing services to children around the country. 

For more information, resources, and guidance on child safeguarding, visit gov.ie/childrenfirst.