Information and Resources

This section includes information sheets, links to documentation referenced on the Children First website and other useful links.

HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy

Adult Disclosures of Retrospective Abuse

HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy

Information Sheets

Posters

These resources are available in 17 languages. QR Codes on these resources brings people to the corresponding webpages where they can access the different languages available. It is recommended that the English language version is displayed unless your service is primarily aimed at a non-English speaking demographic.

Poster for Children and Young People on Being Safe and Asking for Help

(PDF, 606 KB, 1 page)

The poster informs children about their right to feel safe and how to ask for help, if they feel unsafe.

It is important that this poster is displayed in services where children and young people are service users or visitors in order to promote child safeguarding.

Please note: Contact details of your local Tusla – Child and Family Agency need to be included on the English language version of the poster.

Explanation of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy

(PDF, 1,044 KB, 1 page)

This is a child friendly information sheet providing an explanation of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policy.

This is a supplementary support document that can be included in any information packs that are provided to children and young people. This information sheet can also be used, if required, by practitioners to explain to children why they are reporting concerns to Tusla – Child and Family Agency.

This resource may also be displayed in services however, the priority would be to display the Poster for Children and Young People on Being Safe and Asking for Help.

Explanation of the HSE Child Safeguarding Statements

Two child friendly posters providing an explanation of the HSE Child Safeguarding Statements are also available. The first option appealed greater to children of primary school age and the second option appealed greater to older children and young people. The wording of both posters is the same.

It is recommended that one of these posters is displayed beside the Child Safeguarding Statement in your service.

Choose which poster is more relevant to your service’s user demographic or if you provide services to children of all ages, display the poster you prefer.

Please note: The name and contact details of the ‘Relevant Person’ for your service’s Child Safeguarding Statement needs to be included on the English language version of the poster. You can find the Relevant Person’s contact details on your Child Safeguarding Statement.

Option 1: Children (PDF, 2,060 KB, 1 page)

Option 2: Older Children and Young People (PDF, 975 KB, 1 page)

Supervision of Children Poster

(PDF, 1,433 KB, 1 page)

Additionally, we have also created a generic poster about children needing to be supervised by a parent, guardian or carer.

If your service does not already have supervision signage, this poster can be displayed as a further child safeguarding measure.

HSE Children First Awareness Posters for Staff

The Children First Awareness Posters can be downloaded and displayed in offices and staff rooms to promote Children First and raise awareness of staff members responsibilities under Children First.

Adult Disclosures of Retrospective Abuse

Adult Retrospective Disclosures Courts Interpretation

Resources are being developed in February 2024 regarding adult disclosures of retrospective abuse and will be made available here once finalised.

Hidden Harm

The experience of children living with, and affected by, parental problem alcohol and other drug use has become widely known as Hidden Harm. The term 'Hidden Harm' encapsulates the two key features of that experience:

those children are often not known to services;
and that they suffer harm in a number of ways as a result of compromised parenting which can impede the child’s social, physical and emotional development.

The key to the success of Hidden Harm work will be both the willingness and capacity of all services to work in a collaborative fashion.

Hidden Harm Practice Guide Seeing through Hidden Harm to Brighter Futures:

In 2019, the HSE and Tulsa published ‘Hidden Harm Practice Guide Seeing through Hidden Harm to Brighter Futures’. This document is an educational resource to enhance knowledge and skills, in identifying and responding effectively to parental problem alcohol and other drug use in terms of its impact on children and to support the continuing professional development of health and social care practitioners:

Hidden Harm Practice Guide Image (PDF, 2 MB, 94 pages)

Opening our Eyes to Hidden Harm:

The following leaflet ‘Opening our Eyes to Hidden Harm’ is specifically for empowering and guiding frontline workers in the area of parental problem alcohol and other drug use:

Opening your Eyes to Hidden Harm Image (PDF, 5 MB, 10 pages)

Hidden Harm eLearning Programme:

A 45 minute e-Learning programme has been produced and is available on www.hseland.ie; 'Hidden Harm: Recognising and responding to the impact of parental alcohol and other drug use on children'.

This programme is relevant to all staff working with parents, children, young people or families who may be affected by problem alcohol and other drug use. This includes HSE, Tusla, and community/voluntary sectors.

The programme seeks to support them in understanding and responding to the often ‘Hidden Harm’ of children living in these families: