Children First Training

Mandatory Children First Training

An Introduction to Children First

In this 90 minute e-Learning programme, you will learn:

  • How to recognise child abuse and report a concern about a child’s welfare and protection
  • Information about roles and responsibilities as set out in Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Children First Act 2015

The programme can be accessed on any smart phone, tablet or PC, making the module accessible at work or in a public space such as a library or education centre or on a home computer.

When you have completed the module and passed the assessment, you will receive a certificate of completion to send to your line manager. Certificates are valid for three years. When your certificate expires, you must complete the course and assessment again to remain certified.

HSE Staff and Staff of HSE Funded Agencies

Children First e-Learning for HSE Staff and Staff of HSE Funded Agencies

All HSE staff and staff of HSE Funded Agencies must complete the 'An Introduction to Children First' e-Learning programme which can be accessed on www.hseland.ie.

This requirement applies to all roles and grades and includes:

  • staff who are permanent, temporary, agency, locum or visiting
  • students and volunteers

Staff of HSE Contracted Services

Children First e-Learning for HSE Contracted Services

Staff of HSE Contracted Services are also strongly urged to complete this training which can be accessed by HSE Contracted Services on childrenfirst.hseland.ie.

I’m not sure I can access or complete the programme online.

The e-Learning programme is designed to be completed online. But we realise that due to access or literacy, some people may not be able to do the online programme.

If you cannot do the programme online, you can also do it in a classroom. Your line manager can request the resources and ask a nominated member of their staff to assist you in doing it.

Additional Children First Training

HSE Children First Training and Development Officers deliver a range of optional Child Safeguarding training and briefings to staff members who are employed directly by the HSE, staff of Children’s Disability Network Teams, staff of Section 38 hospitals and staff working within GP/Out-of-Hours GP services . 

The HSE Children First National Office has developed a Classroom Management System on HSeLanD so that you can easily check what upcoming Children First workshops and briefings are available and enrol on the date that suits you best.

The training programmes that are currently available are:

  • HSE Children First Training for Mandated Persons (online interactive workshop for Mandated Persons)
  • HSE Children First Training on Recognising and Reporting Child Protection or Welfare Concerns (online interactive workshop for staff who are not Mandated Persons)
  • Children First Briefing for HSE Line Managers (online interactive briefing for HSE line managers and HSE staff with managerial responsibilities)

To enrol on one of these sessions;

  1. Log in to your HSeLanD account (www.hseland.ie).
  2. Click on the ‘Courses’ menu option.
  3. Click on ‘Catalogue’
  4. Click on ‘Profession or Unit’
  5. Click on ‘Children First’
  6. Click on the ‘CHO / Area’ where you are geographically located
  7. Click on the programme applicable to you and enrol on the date that suits you best
  8. Important: Ensure that you answer all enrolment questions so that the instructors can approve your enrolment

Image of the HSeLanD Classroom Management System

We aim to build a portfolio of training and resource materials and our prospectus will be updated as we develop new resources:

HSE Children First Training and Resource Prospectus

HSE Children First Training and Resource Prospectus

The HSE Children First Training and Resource Prospectus (PDF, 1.82 MB, 17 pages) details the different training and resources that are available to HSE staff and shows how the HSE Children First National Office are implementing the HSE Children First National Office Training and Resource Strategy (PDF, 1.36 MB, 36 pages). This prospectus will be updated as we develop new resources.

The HSE Children First National Office cannot deliver training directly to staff of HSE funded or contracted services (except in exceptional cases). We can however provide all HSE Children First resources and training materials to HSE funded and contracted services so that they can deliver these training resources themselves. Your local HSE Children First Training and Development Officer can be contacted to enquire about requesting these resources.