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Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald launches Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, HSE, to promote accountable, consistent and transparent practices in line with Children First Guidance 2011 On September 22 2011, the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, launched the HSE’s Child Protection and Welfare Handbook developed by the National Office for Children and Family Services, HSE. The Handbook, which is based on the protocols as set out in Children First Guidance 2011 and the collective wisdom and best practice of experts and front line staff, will support the vital work of social workers and other relevant practitioners in dealing with child protection and welfare cases.
The introduction and use of the Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook will standardise the nationwide implementation of Children First. Children First National Guidance 2011 promotes the protection of children from abuse and neglect. The Guidance states what organisations need to do to keep children safe, and what different bodies, and the general public should do if they are concerned about a child’s safety and welfare. It sets out specific protocols for HSE social workers, Gardaí and other front line staff in dealing with suspected abuse and neglect. The scope of the guidance extends beyond the reporting to statutory bodies. It emphasises the importance of multi-disciplinary, inter-agency working in the management of concerns about children’s safety and welfare. Key to this is the sharing of information between agencies and disciplines in the best interests of children and the need for full co-operation to ensure better outcomes.
At the launch, Minister Fitzgerald said: “I welcome the publication of the Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook by the HSE. This handbook will be a valuable resource in ensuring a nationwide consistency-of-approach to the implementation of the Children First Guidance 2011 and to the enhanced delivery of children protection services generally.
“My department is finalising legislation to put the Children First Guidance on a statutory footing for the first time. This legislation will apply to all organisations and persons who work with or are in contact with children and will include statutory requirements to make reports, share information and cooperate with the HSE and An Garda Síochána where they are involved with a child about whom there are concerns.
“It takes a whole community to keep a child safe and we all have a responsibility for ensuring the safety of children in Ireland. I welcome this Handbook as an important development in child protection and welfare in Ireland.”
The Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook will assist with the standard implementation of Children First Guidance 2011 and will support the vital work of social workers and other relevant practitioners in dealing with child protection and welfare cases.
Gordon Jeyes, National Director, Children and Family Services, HSE, commented at the launch: "Our top priority as children and families professionals is to implement Children First Guidance 2011. The vital work of Social Workers and other professionals together with partner agencies in assessing risk and acting to protect vulnerable children is difficult and demanding. This Practice Handbook is designed as a quick reference book to help support front line practice. It sets out the key issues in the different stages of action from referral through assessment to intervention. The Handbook is designed to complement Children First Guidance 2011 which is the full reference text for practitioners. It is a companion to Children First Guidance 2011, current policies and procedures and Irish legislation. The Handbook is a guide to basic and consistent practice but cannot and does not cover everything. The task for all of us is to use our professional skills, work together and offer an accountable, consistent and transparent child-centred service to protect children. The Handbook builds on the skill, resilience and determination of agencies working together to put children first. It is a professional guide to help us be reliable and dependable partners and to ask the same of others.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Padraig Kennedy of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation said, "On a daily basis An Garda Síochána is working with other agencies to protect children from harm and abuse. Children First is an integral element of the Policy of An Garda Síochána on the Investigation of Sexual Crime, Crimes Against Children and Child Welfare. The publication today of the Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook further enhances the ability of An Garda Síochána to deal with child protection concerns and supports the difficult and challenging work of those on the frontline of child protection and welfare."
The HSE will be rolling out Child Protection and Welfare Training Courses to HSE staff nationwide and full details can be obtained from local Child Care Training Departments.
In addition, building on the partnership focus between Children and Family Services and An Garda Síochána, an updated joint training programme for HSE social workers and Gardaí on Children First 2011 and the Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, will be rolled out from September 2011 until June 2012.
The HSE urges anyone who has suspicions or concerns about a child’s safety to contact the Gardai or the local HSE Social Work office.
For contact details and more information, please visit: www.hse.ie/go/childrenfirst
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