Child Protection
Supporting the youth work sector to safeguard children and young people
The Child Protection Programme is based in the National Youth Council of Ireland and is funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The Child Protection Programme is dedicated to supporting the youth work sector to meet their responsibilities in relation to child safeguarding and protection. The Programme supports the sector through the provision of training, resource materials, support and guidance, and advocacy on behalf of the youth work sector.
Child Protection Training
NYCI’s Child Protection Programme offers a number of different trainings for youth work organisations to ensure all staff and volunteers understand what their responsibilities are when it comes to safeguarding and child protection.
Child Protection Resources
NYCI’s Child Protection Programme has developed a number of different resources to support the youth work sector to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities.
Peer Abuse
This webpage is designed to support youth workers, staff, and volunteers by providing guidance and additional information on recognising and responding to Peer Abuse.
DLP Hubs
The DLP Hubs are a space for support and sharing learning for Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLPs) and offer opportunities to increase knowledge on safeguarding and child protection.
Children First Awareness Week
This is a nationwide campaign to promote the protection and safeguarding of children and young people against abuse and neglect.
Child Safeguarding Committee for the Youth Work Sector
The committee’s purpose is to continue supporting the ongoing implementation and review of Children First in the youth work sector and to identify emerging safeguarding and child protection needs within the youth work sector and potential responses to these.
Child Safeguarding Statements & Safeguarding Risk Assessment Workshop
In 2024, NYCI’s Child Protection Programme brought together the youth work sector to explore Child Safeguarding Statements and Safeguarding Risk Assessments within their organisations. Follow the link below to find out further information on Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
Connected
elearning Resource
NYCI is delighted to have worked with Webwise to adapt its “Connected” school programme to provide a resource that contains information, workshops, and practical activities that can be used by youth workers and volunteers in their work with young people.
Online Safety & Awareness in Youth Work
e-Learning
The Child Protection Programme has developed a new free eLearning to support the youth work sector to help keep young people safe online.
This e-Learning introduces youth workers and volunteers to key topics in online safety, and addresses the challenges that young people may face online. It explores the importance of digital awareness in your role and the ways you can support young people to be safer online.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a concern about a young person, it is very important that you take one of the following actions:
- Report your concern to your Designated Liaison Person (DLP) within your organisation.
- If you do not have a Designated Liaison Person, report directly to your local duty social worker in Tusla, The Child and Family Agency.
- In an emergency or if a social worker is not available, contact your local Garda Station to speak with a member of An Garda Siochana.
All youth organisations have a responsibility and a duty of care for the protection and well being of the young people with whom they work. There are a number of measures that youth organisations must put in place to safeguard children from harm. These include the following:
A child protection policy and code of behaviour, a named designated liaison person, a safe recruitment and selection process for employees and volunteer which includes Garda vetting, procedures for dealing with allegations, supervision, support and training in child protection and safeguarding for all staff, volunteers and management.
For the youth work sector please see the training section of this website.
However, if you are outside of the youth work sector please contact your national governing body or Tusla for information on accessing appropriate child protection training.
For information on Garda vetting please see the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Siochana
Alternatively you can contact the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Siochana
Tel: +353 (0)504 27300
Child Protection Training
Informing Parents/Carers of Concerns Training
This training aims to assist youth workers, staff, and volunteers by providing guidance based on Tusla’s best practices when informing parents/carers of concerns in relation to young people.
Responding to Disclosures Training
This training aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary when dealing with a child or young persons that discloses an experience of harm or abuse.
NUI Certificate in Child Protection & Welfare
The National Child Protection Programme delivers the Level 8 Certificate in Child Protection and Welfare in conjunction with Maynooth University every second year. The course aims to encourage, support and facilitate youth organisations to embed a safeguarding culture across the whole organisation.
Programme Award: Certificate in Child Protection and Welfare (Level 8) – Specialist Certificate in Child Protection and Welfare awarded by Maynooth University.
Child Protection Publications
Peer Abuse Guidance: Supporting Youth Workers to Respond Effectively
This resource supports youth work organisations to understand peer abuse, how to respond safely and appropriately, and how to manage the complexities that often arise.
Understanding Ireland’s Romeo & Juliet Defence
Developed by NYCI’s Youth Health and Child Protection Programmes, this infographic helps youth workers understand the Romeo and Juliet Defence. It outlines: What the Romeo and […]
Youth-Friendly Child Safeguarding Policy
NYCI's Child Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidelines explain all the ways in which we keep young people safe when they attend our events or participate in […]