Children First Act 2015
On 2nd October 2017, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs launched the revised Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and announced the commencement of remaining sections of the Children First Act 2015 from 11th December 2017.
To view the Children First Act 2015 – click on the link http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/36/enacted/en/pdf
The Act introduces a new role ‘Mandated Person’ . Section 14 (1-12) of the Act defines the responsibilities of the Mandated Person.
- So who are Mandated Persons?
Mandated persons are people who have contact with children and/or families and who, because of their qualifications, training and/or employment role, are in a key position to help protect children from harm. Mandated persons include professionals working with children in the education, health, justice, youth and childcare sectors (Children First National Guidance).
In the Act, Schedule 2 is a list of people who are classified as mandated persons including;
15 (i) Person employed in any of the following capacities: safeguarding officer, child protection officer or other person (howsoever described) who is employed for the purpose of performing the child welfare and protection function of religious, sporting, recreational, cultural, educational and other bodies and organisations offering services to children.
- What are the legal obligations of a mandated person?
However Mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. These are:
1. To report the harm of children above a defined threshold to Tusla;
2. To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.
Gymnastics Ireland Board has appointed the Policy & Welfare Manager as its mandated person.
(Email – [email protected] – tel 01/6251125).
(Individuals should always inform Tusla if they have reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglect. The Designated Liaison Person at Club level is responsible for ensuring that reporting procedures are followed).