Common use of Children First Clause in Contracts

Children First. The IPS is identified as a relevant service under the Children First Act 2015 and, as such, is required to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement which incorporates a risk assessment and sets out the corresponding controls (e.g. training, vetting) that are in place. There are also a variety of professional personnel working in the prison environment who are classed as ‘mandated persons’ under Schedule 2 to the Act and who are therefore obliged to make reports to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in prescribed circumstances and to assist with Tusla assessments on request. In addition, in line with the Children First National Guidance, the IPS has assigned regional Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) to serve as their area’s principal contact for information/advice regarding specific child safeguarding concerns and for recording and addressing such concerns. Each DLP also liaises with the statutory child protection authorities in reporting such concerns as required. The IPS shall ensure compliance with its obligations under the Children First Act, the National Guidance and the Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan published by the Minister under section 27 of the Act. The IPS will annually, or more frequently if requested, submit to Performance & Compliance a report on its Children First compliance for the year in question (to include, inter alia: details and figures regarding training and instruction of staff; confirmation that all relevant staff have been vetted; and the numbers of mandated reports and other referrals made to Tusla in the period concerned). However, any significant compliance difficulties or breaches will be reported to Performance & Compliance at the earliest opportunity.

Children First. The IPS Probation Service is identified as a relevant service under the Children First Act 2015 and, as such, is required to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement which incorporates a risk assessment and sets out the corresponding controls (e.g. training, vetting) that are in place. There are also a variety of professional personnel working in Schedule 2 to the prison environment who are classed Act designates Probation Officers as ‘mandated persons’ under Schedule 2 to the Act and who are therefore obliged to make reports to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in prescribed circumstances and to assist with Tusla assessments on request. In addition, in line with the Children First National Guidance, the IPS Probation Service has assigned designated regional Designated Liaison Persons (DLPs) to serve as their area’s principal contact for information/advice regarding specific child safeguarding concerns and for recording and addressing such concerns. Each DLP also liaises with the statutory child protection authorities in reporting such concerns as required. The IPS shall Probation Service will ensure compliance with its obligations under the Children First Act, the National Guidance and the Children First Sectoral Implementation Plan published by the Minister under section 27 of the Act. The IPS Probation Service will annually, or more frequently if requested, submit to Performance & Compliance a report on its Children First compliance for the year in question (question, to include, include inter alia: alia appropriate details and figures regarding staff training and instruction of staff; confirmation that all relevant staff have been vetted; and the instruction, numbers of mandated reports made, and other referrals made to Tusla in the period concerned). However, any significant compliance difficulties or breaches (for example, a serious incident involving a child safeguarding failure, or a substantial shortfall in training, mandated reporting or maintenance of the DLP network) will be reported to Performance & Compliance at the earliest opportunity.