Children First
Children First refers to the Children First Act 2015 and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, and the implementation of both.
The Children First Act 2015 and National Guidance place responsibilities on individuals, staff and organisations to keep children safe from abuse and harm.
As HSE staff, we all have a responsibility to safeguard and protect children, regardless of our role, grade or position.
This page brings together key national HSE Children First resources alongside local training and contact information for staff in the HSE Mid West Region.
The national HSE Children First pages remain the main source of truth for official policy, governance, compliance, safeguarding statements, training and guidance.
Use this page to:
- Access national HSE Children First resources
- Understand what you need to do to meet Children First requirements
- Find local Children First training and supports
- Locate local Children First contacts
National Children First Resources
Access official HSE guidance, policies and safeguarding resources.
Sections
1. National Children First Resources
Important Reminder
Children First and child safeguarding policies, templates and supporting documents are updated from time to time.
Always download the most current templates, policies and guidance from the HSE Children First website.
Children First in the HSE
The HSE national Children First page provides access to key national Children First resources for staff, including governance, compliance assurance, policy, safeguarding statements, risk assessments, training and contact details.
Open national page:
Children First in the HSE
Governance and Compliance Assurance
Access national HSE resources relating to Children First governance, compliance assurance, self-audit requirements and related supporting documents.
Open national page:
Governance and Compliance Resources
HSE National Child Protection and Welfare Policy
Access the HSE National Child Protection and Welfare Policy and related supporting guidance for staff.
Open policy:
HSE National Child Protection and Welfare Policy
This includes information on:
- recognising and responding to concerns
- reporting child protection and welfare concerns
- information sharing
- record management
- staff roles and responsibilities
National Policy for Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing within Adult Mental Health Services
Staff working in or alongside Adult Mental Health Services can access the national policy on child safeguarding and wellbeing within adult mental health services.
National Policy for Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing within Adult Mental Health Services
Child Safeguarding Statements and Risk Assessments
Access national resources relating to:
- Child Safeguarding Statements
- Child Safeguarding Risk Assessments
- Procedures and controls to safeguard children and young people
- Guidelines for Developing a Procedure for Maintaining a List of Mandated Persons and Guidelines for Developing a Procedure for Appointing a Relevant Person
Open national resources:
Children First in the HSE
Additional national resource:
Child Safeguarding Statement – Procedures and Controls
Children First Training
Children First training is mandatory for HSE staff. Staff should ensure they are familiar with the required training and complete any relevant modules as directed.
Open training resources:
Children First Training
Open mandatory training page:
HSE Mandatory Training
2. Children First Requirements: What Staff Need to Do
All staff should ensure they:
- Complete the mandatory eLearning module An Introduction to Children First on HSeLanD and refresh it every three years.
- Read and adhere to the HSE National Child Protection and Welfare Policy.
- Consult the accompanying HSE Child Protection and Welfare Guides as required:
- Know how to recognise and respond to a child protection or welfare concern.
- Follow the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Reporting Procedure.
- Work collaboratively with Tusla, An Garda Síochána and other professionals where appropriate.
- Be familiar with their service’s Child Safeguarding Statement and Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment.
- Understand their service’s child protection and welfare record management procedures.
- Attend local Children First training or refresher sessions where relevant.
3. Local Children First Training
Additional Children First Training
Below is the link to local training opportunities available to support staff in applying Children First guidance and law in practice.
Children First Training Events
4. Local Contacts and Support
HSE Children First National Office
The HSE Children First National Office was established to support the HSE and its funded and contracted services to safeguard children through the effective implementation of Children First.
There are HSE Children First Training and Development Officers located across the country who support consistent implementation and compliance with Children First throughout the HSE.
For local advice, support or training queries, contact the Training and Development Officers for the Mid West Region:
- Michelle Mansfield — michelle.mansfield1@hse.ie
- Mary Ita Heffernan — MaryIta.Heffernan@hse.ie
For national information and support, contact the Children First National Office:
Email: childrenfirst@hse.ie