Tusla has produced a suite of information documents and a universal elearning programme to support the launch of the revised Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the commencement of remaining sections of the Children First Act 2015.

This guide is intended for people who have ongoing contact with children and / or families through professional, voluntary or other roles and who are classified as mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015. Under the Children First Act 2015, mandated persons must:

• Report harm of children above a defined threshold to Tusla;
• Help Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

Mandated persons include professionals working with children in the education, health, justice, youth and childcare sectors. Foster carers are also classified as mandated persons. A full list of mandated persons is available here.

This Guide will help you when considering reporting a child protection or welfare concern to Tusla. It outlines the Children First principles of practice and the importance of working together to protect children. Guidance is given on when and how to report a child protection or welfare concern to Tusla. Information is provided on how Tusla will respond to your report and on related issues, such as feedback to you as the reporter and record-keeping. Finally, it provides information on Tusla’s out-of-hours service, child protection and welfare training, and our complaints procedure.