Child Protection Policies

At Kildare Town Educate Together NS, protecting our pupils’ wellbeing and safety is at the heart of everything we do. We believe every child should feel secure, respected and supported while learning and growing. Our child protection practices are designed to make that belief a reality every day.

We operate under the updated Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025, published by the Irish Department of Education and Youth. These procedures build on previous guidance and reflect the latest legal and best-practice standards for recognising, reporting and responding to concerns about a child’s safety or welfare. Schools across Ireland are required to adopt the 2025 procedures by the end of 2026, and we are actively implementing them at Kildare Town ETNS.

Child protection at our school is guided by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children — the national standard that explains what constitutes harm and how concerns should be handled — and the Children First Act 2015, which places a statutory duty on education and other professionals to report concerns about child welfare. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, plays a central role in assessing reports and working with families to keep children safe.

Here’s what this means for your family:

• Our staff are trained to recognise signs that a child might be at risk and to respond appropriately and confidentially.
• We have a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and a Deputy DLP who manage child protection concerns with care and professionalism.
  • Designated Liaison Person (DLP) – Gerry Breslin
  • Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) – Christine Cuddy
• When a concern meets the criteria under Children First guidance, we pass information promptly to Tusla so that expert social workers can assess and support the child and family.
• We have a Child Safeguarding Statement and risk assessment in place that reflects local needs and national expectations.
• All documents required are attached below and are available in the office in hard copy.

For more information or support, you can visit:

• Department of Education – Child Protection Procedures 2025: official guidelines for schools. Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 (Department of Education)
• Tusla – Children First Guidance and Legislation: how to recognise abuse and report a concern. Tusla Children First Guidance and Reporting Information

If you ever have a concern about a child’s safety, please reach out to us or contact Tusla directly. Together, we can ensure our school remains a safe, positive and caring place for every learner.  The number to call for Tusla direct is 045 839300 – Duty Social Worker in Naas.

CSS1: Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment

CSS 2: Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment

CSS 3: Notification Regarding the Board of Management’s Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment