Child Protection
Welcome to the Child Protection section of the University's website.
The University recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of the University and therefore must be reflected (where applicable) in its policies and procedures, practices and activities.
Details of the University’s Child Protection Policy, and associated information, are provided in the relevant sections below.
Reporting Child Protection Concerns
The Child Safeguarding Statement sets out the guiding principles when reporting child protection concerns. All child protection concerns must be routed through the DCU Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and it is the DLP who has responsibility for making reports to TUSLA, An Garda Síochána and any other external agencies. In the event that the concern relates to the DCU Designated Liaison Person, the concern must be reported to the DCU President. In the event that the DLP is not available the concern should be reported to either the Deputy President or the Deputy Chief Operations Officer who have both been designated as Deputy Designated Liaison Persons (DDLP).
| Contact | Name | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Liaison Person (DLP) |
Dr. Declan Raftery Chief Operations Officer |
Email child.protection@dcu.ie Ph: 01-700 5118 Ph: 01-700 8257 |
| Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) # 1 |
Mr. Martin Ward, Deputy Chief Operations Officer |
Email child.protection@dcu.ie Ph: 01-700 7476 |
| Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) # 2 |
Professor Anne Sinnott Deputy President |
Email child.protection@dcu.ie 01-7005396 |
The Child Protection training course referred to in the University's Child Protection Policy and procedures is provided by Tusla, the Irish Child and Family Agency. As such it is an external course to DCU.
The course may be accessed via the link below
Completion of the course is a requirement for all colleagues from across the University and its wholly owned campus companies who interact with minors in the course of their work or employment as set out in the scope of the policy.
The Tusla course is based on Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the Children First Act 2015.
The course covers topics including:
- Recognising and reporting child abuse
- The role of mandated persons
- The responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children
- The role of designated liaison persons
Duration: Takes maximum 1.5 hours to complete but it can be done in a number of sittings.
Intended Audience: All staff dealing with minors from across DCU and its campus companies.
Instructions
- Create an account on the TUSLA website using your staff email address to log in and complete the course.
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Once you have finished the course, you must go onto complete this 2-minute Knowledge Check.
To pass, a score of 70% or higher is required. Multiple attempts are permitted.
Please contact the Office of the Chief Operation Officer for any queries in relation to the Child Protection Policy. Alternatively, please send an email to the address below.
Return to the Homepage of the Office of the Chief Operations Officer