Always Children First – Safeguarding Training Awareness
Child protection and welfare training for the early years sector in Wicklow is delivered by Wicklow County Childcare Committee. The role that early years practitioners have in the lives of children and their families means that they are uniquely placed to recognise when there are concerns about the safety, welfare or well-being of a child. Early years practitioners and services also have a responsibility for safeguarding the children in their care through their policies, procedures and practice.
As you are aware, the full Enactment of the Children First Act (2015) has resulted in significant changes for those employed in the Early Years Sector. With a legal responsibility for organisations to have a Child Safeguarding Statement in place and the identification of those employed in Early Years Services as Mandated Persons, the Always Children First Foundation Module has been updated to reflect these and other important changes.
This Foundation Training is a standardised programme for all staff involved in direct work with children and families. All Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) and Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLP) will be prioritised for this training.
A prerequisite of attending this training is that participants have completed the Tusla e-Learning Children First Programme and Wicklow CCC require a copy of your e-Learning certificate at time of booking.
To complete this e-Learning programme see link below:
Complete Children First E-Learning Programme
This is a Child & Family Agency accredited module that has been developed for the early years’ sector. Certification is valid for three years.
WCCC will deliver this training on the following dates in 2020:
Saturday 28th March, Arklow Bay Hotel, 10am – 4pm (postponed till further notice)
Tuesday 25th August, Villa Pacis, Bray, 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10th October, Blessington Education Centre, 10am – 4pm
Saturday 7th November, Glenview Hotel, 10am – 4pm
Places are limited to two persons per service. Priority will be given to services who have not yet attended this training.
To book a place on this course please complete our online booking form and email a copy of your Tusla e-Learning Cert to judy@wccc.ie. Successful applicants will then be sent an eventbrite link to pay for the place. Upon receipt of payment your place will be confirmed.
Cost: €10 per person which includes lunch.
Tusla have produced a number of informative resources to support early years services develop strong Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures such as “Developing a Child Safeguarding Statement: A Guide For Early Years Services in Ireland”. These resources can be accessed through the Tusla website https://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/children-first/ ‘
Tusla – Child and Family Agency also launched its new Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook 2. The Practice Handbook 2 is published as a companion document to the 2011 HSE Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (DCYA 2017). The Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook 2 can be found on the Tusla Website and will be a further support to professionals including Designated and Deputy Designated Liaison Officers within an early years’ service.
https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Tusla_Child_Protection_Handbook2.pdf
