Children First Act 2015

What is the Children First Act 2015

  • The Children First Act 2015 is Irish legislation designed to strengthen child protection laws.
  • The Act came into law on 19 November 2015, and key parts came into full effect on 11 December 2017.
  • It works alongside Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), so that both legal obligations and best-practice guidance operate together to protect children.

What the Act Requires

Under the Children First Act 2015:

  • Organisations or individuals that provide services to children (for example, childcare services, schools, health services, youth or community services) must prepare a Child Safeguarding Statement, a documented plan outlining how they will protect children in their care.
  • Certain professionals and staff are defined as “mandated persons”, such as teachers, healthcare workers, social workers, childcare staff, and more, and they have a legal duty to report to Tusla - Child and Family Agency if they suspect a child is being harmed, has been harmed, or is at risk.
  • Mandated persons must also assist Tusla when requested, e.g. providing information or cooperating in risk assessments when a concern is being investigated. 
  • The Act abolished the previous common-law defence of “reasonable chastisement”, meaning corporal punishment of children can no longer be defended as “reasonable” under the law.
  • It establishes a statutory body, the Children First Inter‑Departmental Implementation Group, to oversee the implementation of child protection measures across different sectors and to ensure a coordinated approach.

The Purpose

  • It ensures children’s safety and well-being are protected under law, not just as best practice.
  • It promotes early identification and reporting of abuse or neglect, so that interventions can happen sooner.
  • It holds organisations offering services to children accountable: they must assess risks, be transparent about safeguarding measures, and have policies in place.
  • It clarifies that professionals working with children have a legal duty to act, not just a moral one, when they suspect harm.