Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook - Health Service ...

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Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook
If you have a concern and discuss it with your line manager and there is
disagreement as to whether to share this information with the HSE Children
and Family Services or An Garda Síochána, the line manager should inform
the worker/volunteer:
that they are not reporting and their reasons for not doing so;
• that the worker/volunteer can report in their own right;
• that if they do report in good faith, they are protected under the
• provisions of the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act
1998 (protection from civil liability and protection from penalisation by
employer).
2.1.2 Designated Liaison Persons – Agencies and services
outside the HSE (including voluntary and community sectors)
In accordance with Section 3.3 of Children First: National Guidance (2011),
every organisation, both public and private, that is providing services for
children or that is in regular direct contact with children should:
Identify a designated liaison person to act as a liaison with outside
• agencies and a resource person to any staff member or volunteer who
has child protection concerns. The designated liaison person should be
familiar with Children First: National Guidance (2011).
The designated liaison person is responsible for ensuring that the
• standard reporting procedure is followed, so that suspected cases of
child neglect or abuse are referred promptly to the HSE Children and
Family Services’ Duty Social Worker. In the event of an emergency
where you think a child is in immediate danger and you cannot get in
contact with the HSE Children and Family Services’ Duty Social Worker,
you should contact An Garda Síochána.
The designated liaison person should ensure that they are
• knowledgeable about child protection and undertake any training
considered necessary to keep themselves updated on new
developments.
As a designated liaison person, you may receive reports of suspected abuse
or you may have concerns about a child’s safety and welfare. It is your
responsibility:
• To ensure that you are fully conversant with your organisation’s duties to
the protection and welfare of children.
• To ensure that you know your organisation’s child protection and
welfare policies and procedures, and that you know what they are and
where to find the most up-to-date version.