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Information for Independent School providers

Under  Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 every child being educated in Ireland in a place other than a recognised school (as defined under Section 10 of the Education Act) i.e., in the home environment or at an independent school / centre of education must be registered with Tusla - Child and Family Agency.  

The process of registration involves assessment of the educational provision that is being provided to the child. Assessments are carried out by an authorised person from the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) on behalf of Tusla.

Further information on the assessment of provision at an In School can be found here

Samples of Assessment Report Templates can be downloaded from the links below

The reports of assessments completed and issued after 01 June 2022 are available on the Details of Independent Schools  section.

R2 Information Form – Types of R2 Forms

Under Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, a parent who chooses to educate their child in a place other than a recognised school (as defined in the Education Act, 1998) must apply to have the child registered by the Child and Family Agency (the Agency). If the child is educated in an independent school, certain information is required from the school. The R2 form is used by independent school/programme of education providers to return information to the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service regarding the provision, the premises, governance, and safeguarding of children enrolled.

The R2 Initial Form is submitted prior to the Independent School opening or as soon is as practicable thereafter. On receipt of an R2 Initial Form the Independent School will be subject to a preliminary assessment, in order to make registration decision for children in receipt of an education under the provision. Further information about the assessment process can be found here.

The R2 Annual Update Information Form is submitted each year at the beginning of the academic year and is used to return and confirm information provided regarding governance, the premises, the provision, children enrolled for the academic year, and arrangements for safeguarding. Updates and any changes made or proposed for the identified academic year should be included under the relevant section on this form.

The R2 Supplementary Information Form is submitted periodically during the academic year to return updated information for any changes at your school. This includes changes to the building, governance, staff numbers, and updates for children that require section 14 registration (not previously included on an R2 Initial/Annual Update Form) and children that leave your school during an academic year. Where the only updates to the school relate to children enrolled you can complete a shorter version R2 Supplementary Enrolment Form.

It is a legal requirement that all staff employed or working on a voluntary basis at an Independent School are Garda Vetted. All Staff and volunteers must be trained in the Children First National Guidelines and in the school’s  Child Safeguarding Statement,  which must be in place under part (11) Children First Act 2015.  More information about child protection and welfare can be found here.

Please refer to the guidelines before completing the R2 Information Form. You can download a copy of the Guidance Document and the relevant R2 Information Forms below.

If you are a newly engaged Independent School or if you intend to open an Independent School, you should contact the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service  - Independent Schools Section at independent.schools@tusla.ie prior to submitting an R2 Initial Form.

Parents’ R1 applications and the R2 Information Form

Independent Schools should inform parents of their obligation to apply for Section 14 Registration and ensure that parents of children attending their school have submitted an application to the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service. Independent Schools may facilitate parents by submitting an R1 application completed by parents on their behalf. Alternatively, parents can submit an R1 application directly to the Independent School Section of AEARS by email or post. Independent Schools should liaise with parents regarding their own process and arrangements to ensure an application is submitted prior to or as soon as practicable following the child’s enrolment. Where parents chose to submit their application directly to the service, they are directed to inform the Independent School when an application has been submitted.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) must apply for registration if their child is attending an Independent School and is over six years old and has not reached the age of 16 years.

If a child is aged between 16-18 years and has not yet completed 3 years of post-primary education (at a recognised or another Independent school), an application must be submitted.

You will find the legislation governing the application and registration process here. Further information regarding parents submitting an application is provided in the R2 Guidance document which is available to download here.

Child Protection and Welfare at Independent Schools

Independent Schools are required to operate under legislation to ensure safeguarding is in place and implemented for children attending the school.

The Children First Act 2015 (No. 36 of 2015) enacted December 2017 requires that all independent school providers have a Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) in place. The CSS should include a nominated relevant person to manage the Child Safeguarding Statement and communicate with Tusla in relation to the Child Safeguarding Statement. The Tusla Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit (CSSCU) is a department dedicated to managing the Child Safeguarding Statement requirement. Support and guidance documentation is available for providers to meet this requirement on the Tusla Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit (CSSCU) website and if required by contacting a member of the CSSCU Staff team. The unit is also responsible for operating and maintaining the Register of Non-Compliance under section 13 of the Children First Act 2015.

The Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit (CSSCU) published a report in April 2024 to support the Independent School sector in relation to Child Safeguarding Statement compliance, it is available on the Tusla’s website here.

Information regarding obligations under the Children First Act 2015 can be found at https://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/children-first/

Statutory obligations in relation to Garda vetting requirements for persons working with children and vulnerable adults are set out in the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016. All staff must be Garda vetted in accordance with Part 3, Article 12 National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons)  Act 2012. 

Under these Acts, it is compulsory to obtain vetting disclosures in relation to anyone who is carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable adults. The Acts create offences and penalties for persons who fail to comply with its provisions.

Independent schools/centres of education should ensure that they fully comply with all the requirements of legislation.

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