Child Protection
School Info
Child Protection
DLP: Designated Liason Person: Mr. Aidan Mc Loughlin
DDLP: Deputy Designated Liason Person: Mrs. Elaine Light
Child Protection and Welfare Information
The information in this section is, in part, informed from the website of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
What is the legal definition of a child in Ireland?
Under the Child Care Act 1991 a child is defined as “a person under the age of 18 years, excluding a person who is or has been married”
What is child abuse?
There are four recognised forms of child abuse:-
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Sexual abuse
Definitions and signs and symptoms of child abuse can be found on pages 8 to 10 in the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017
Who deals with child protection concerns?
TUSLA the Child and Family Agency and An Garda Síochána are the two key authorities. TUSLA the Child and Family Agency has a duty to assess reports regarding a child’s welfare or safety.
The specific focus of An Garda Síochána is on the investigation of alleged offences and whether a crime has been committed.
Concerned About A Child's Welfare And Protection?
If you are a member of the public and you have any concerns about the welfare of a child you should contact the Child and Family Agency Child Protection Social Work Services.
If you work or are a volunteer in an organisation and would like more information on your role and responsibility in identifying and responding to child protection and welfare concerns please see http://www.tusla.ie/children-first/individuals-working-with-children-and-young-people. However you can always contact your local Social Work Department.
Who deals with child protection concerns in school?
Each school must have a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) in place for dealing with child protection concerns. In Scoil Naomh Treasa, Mr Aidan McLoughlin is the DLP. The name of the DLP is displayed in a prominent position in the main entrance of the school. The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) is Mrs Elaine Light.
The school DLP has responsibility for ensuring that the standard reporting procedure is followed, so that suspected child protection concerns are referred promptly to the designated person in TUSLA the Child and Family Agency or in the event of an emergency and the unavailability of TUSLA, to An Garda Síochána.
If you wish to report a child protection concern you should speak to the DLP in your school and that person will be responsible for making the report.
Where the allegation or concern relates to the DLP, you should without delay, report the matter to the Chairperson of the Board of Management, Fr. Mark English. In such cases, the Chairperson shall assume the role normally undertaken by the DLP and shall follow the procedures set out in section 4.2 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools.
