If your organisation works with children (anyone under 18), you have a duty to keep them safe. Depending on your work, you may also have legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015.
Last reviewed 30 October 2026. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Safeguarding and child protection
Safeguarding is everything you do to promote children’s welfare and protect them from harm. Child protection is part of safeguarding: it is how you respond when a particular child is being harmed, or is at risk of harm.
Your duties under the Children First Act
Organisations that provide “relevant services” to children, which includes many youth, sports, community and care services, must:
- assess the risk of harm to a child while they are using your service
- write a Child Safeguarding Statement setting out how you manage those risks
- appoint a “relevant person” as the first point of contact for the statement
- display the statement where people can see it, and review it at least every two years
Some professionals, known as mandated persons, must also report child protection concerns to Tusla. Tusla’s Children First pages explain who counts as a relevant service or a mandated person, and have templates to help you write your statement.
Garda vetting
Staff and volunteers who regularly work with children must be Garda vetted. If your organisation is too small to have its own vetting liaison person, our Garda vetting service can process vetting for you.
Reporting a concern
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.
- For other concerns, follow your organisation’s procedure and contact Tusla. See Tusla’s guidance on reporting a concern. Tusla also has a web portal for submitting report forms.
Training and advice
- Tusla’s free e-learning course, An Introduction to Children First, covers how to recognise and report concerns. It’s a good starting point for every staff member and volunteer.
- Tusla’s Children First Information and Advice Officers can advise organisations on their obligations.
Relevant law and guidance
- Children First Act 2015
- Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017)
- National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts
- Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012
Questions? Email support@volunteerdublincity.ie or call 01 473 7482.