Child Safeguarding Statement Annual Review Checklist for Irish Schools

Every school in Ireland that provides a relevant service to children is required under the Children First Act 2015 to have a Child Safeguarding Statement in place. But having a statement is only part of the obligation. The Act also requires that it is reviewed — at minimum annually, or sooner if there has been a material change in the school's circumstances — and that this review is evidenced through proper documentation and Board of Management oversight.

This resource is written for principals and Board of Management (BOM) chairpersons who are preparing for an annual BOM meeting, a Tusla inspection, a Whole School Evaluation (WSE), or who simply want to confirm their school's safeguarding statement is correctly reviewed, displayed, and evidenced. It provides a structured annual review checklist covering risk assessment, statement content, staff circulation, display requirements, parent requests, and BOM minutes.

The Board of Management, as the provider of the relevant service, holds oversight responsibility for the Child Safeguarding Statement. That means the BOM is not simply informed of the review — it must actively oversee and formally record it. A principal or Designated Liaison Person (DLP) who completes the operational review but does not bring it to the board is leaving a significant governance gap. This checklist is designed to help close it.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is the Child Safeguarding Statement?
  2. Who Is Responsible for the Annual Review?
  3. Checklist — What the Annual Review Should Cover
  4. Full Annual Review Checklist Summary
  5. What Inspectors and Tusla May Look For
  6. Common Safeguarding Statement Gaps in Irish Schools
  7. FAQs

What Is the Child Safeguarding Statement?

A Child Safeguarding Statement is a written statement that specifies the service being provided by the school and sets out the principles and procedures the school observes to ensure, as far as practicable, that children availing of the service are safe from harm. It is a public-facing document that communicates the school's commitment to child protection and the measures it has in place.

The legal basis is Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015. Under this section, any organisation providing a relevant service — which includes primary and post-primary schools — must have a Child Safeguarding Statement in place. The requirement came into effect in December 2017 for services that were already operating at that point. New providers must have a statement in place within three months of commencing.

Tusla's guidance on the Child Safeguarding Statement sets out what the statement must contain:

  • The service being provided
  • The principles and procedures to be observed
  • Any potential risk of harm to a child identified in the risk assessment
  • Procedures in place to reduce those identified risks
  • An overview of the measures in place to ensure children are protected from harm
  • References to more detailed policies that can be made available on request

The statement must be displayed in a prominent place within the school. It must be furnished to all staff members and must be made available to parents, guardians, Tusla, and members of the public on request. It must also be reviewed at minimum annually, or following any material change in the school's activities, structure, or staffing that affects the risk assessment.

The legal foundation is the Children First Act 2015. Schools should also refer to the Department of Education's Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools for operational guidance on how these obligations apply in a school context.

Who Is Responsible for the Annual Review?

The Board of Management is the provider of the relevant service and is therefore ultimately responsible for the Child Safeguarding Statement. This includes responsibility for ensuring the annual review takes place, is properly documented, and is formally noted at board level.

The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) — referred to in the Children First Act as the "Relevant Person" — leads the operational review. The DLP is the person designated to liaise with Tusla and other statutory bodies on child protection and welfare matters. Their name and contact details must be current in the statement at all times.

The principal typically coordinates the review process, working with the DLP and bringing the outcome to the BOM. In many schools the principal is also the DLP, but this should be confirmed and the named individual should be clearly identified in the statement.

The BOM must oversee and formally note or approve the reviewed statement. A board minute that simply records "safeguarding statement noted" without referencing the date of review, the version, or any material changes does not provide adequate evidence of oversight. The minute should be clear and specific.

Where the BOM has delegated operational safeguarding responsibilities to the principal or DLP, the board retains oversight — delegation does not remove the board's accountability.

Checklist — What the Annual Review Should Cover

1. Risk Assessment Review

The risk assessment underpins the Child Safeguarding Statement. It is the process by which the school identifies the potential risks of harm to children in the context of the services and activities the school provides. If the risk assessment is not reviewed, the statement it supports is effectively out of date.

  • Has the risk assessment been reviewed for the current academic year?
  • Are all relevant risk categories considered — school activities, physical environments, online activities, extracurricular programmes, and vulnerable groups?
  • Have any new activities introduced during the year been assessed for risk?
  • Have any structural changes — building works, new spaces, changes in supervision arrangements — been reflected in the risk assessment?
  • Have any relevant staffing changes prompted a review of risk assessment sections that reference specific roles?
  • Is the risk assessment document dated and version-controlled?

2. Statement Content Review

The statement itself must be reviewed to ensure it accurately reflects the school's current activities, procedures, and personnel.

  • Does the statement reflect the school's current activities and services, including any new programmes or extracurricular activities introduced since the last review?
  • Is the named Relevant Person (DLP) current, accurate, and contactable?
  • Are the reporting procedures up to date, referencing the correct Tusla contact details and Garda reporting procedures?
  • Does the statement reference the Department of Education's Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools?
  • Does the statement reference the Children First Act 2015 as the governing legislation?
  • Is the statement dated? Does the date reflect the most recent review?
  • Has the statement been updated to reflect any policy changes issued by the Department of Education since the last review?

3. Staff Circulation and Awareness

Under the Children First Act 2015 and the Tusla guidance, the reviewed Child Safeguarding Statement must be furnished to all staff. Circulation to staff is not optional — it is a statutory requirement.

  • Has the reviewed statement been circulated to all current staff?
  • Is there a record of the date on which staff received the reviewed statement?
  • Are new staff provided with the current statement as part of their induction and onboarding?
  • Is there a record of induction and the documents provided, including the safeguarding statement?
  • Are all support staff and non-teaching staff included in the circulation — not just teaching staff?
  • Do staff know who the DLP is and how to make a report?

4. Display and Public Availability

The Child Safeguarding Statement must be displayed in a prominent place in the school. This is a specific requirement under the Children First Act 2015, not simply a matter of best practice.

  • Is the Child Safeguarding Statement currently displayed in a prominent, visible location in the school building?
  • Is the version on display the most recently reviewed version?
  • Is the displayed statement legible and undamaged?
  • Is the statement accessible to parents, guardians, Tusla, and members of the public who request a copy?
  • Is there a process — however simple — for providing a copy of the statement when requested?

5. Parent and Guardian Requests

Parents and guardians have a right to receive a copy of the Child Safeguarding Statement on request. The school should have a clear and straightforward process for handling such requests.

  • Does the school have a clear process for providing the statement to parents or guardians who request it?
  • Is this process communicated in the school's parent information pack, handbook, or admissions documentation?
  • Is the version made available to parents the most recently reviewed version?
  • Is there a brief record kept of requests and responses, should this be needed for inspection purposes?

6. Board of Management Minutes and Oversight

BOM oversight of the annual review is one of the areas most commonly found to be inadequately evidenced. The board minute is the primary record that the review has taken place with proper governance oversight.

  • Has the annual review been formally noted or approved at a BOM meeting?
  • Does the minute record the date of the review?
  • Does the minute record the outcome of the review (e.g., no material changes, or specific changes made)?
  • Is the version or date of the reviewed statement referenced in the minute?
  • Does the minute record the name of the current DLP (Relevant Person)?
  • If a material change was made, does the minute describe the nature of the change?

Full Annual Review Checklist Summary

Use this consolidated checklist as a printable reference ahead of your BOM meeting or annual review process.

Risk Assessment

  • Risk assessment reviewed for the current year
  • All relevant risk categories covered (activities, environments, online, vulnerable groups)
  • New activities assessed for risk
  • Structural or environmental changes reflected in the risk assessment
  • Staffing changes reflected where relevant
  • Risk assessment dated and version-controlled

Statement Content

  • Statement reflects current school activities and services
  • Named DLP (Relevant Person) is current, accurate, and contactable
  • Reporting procedures (Tusla, Gardaí) are up to date
  • Statement references Department of Education Child Protection Procedures
  • Statement references the Children First Act 2015
  • Statement is dated with the most recent review date

Staff Circulation

  • Reviewed statement circulated to all staff
  • Date of circulation recorded
  • New staff receive the statement as part of induction
  • Support and non-teaching staff included in circulation

Display and Public Availability

  • Statement displayed in a prominent location in the school
  • Displayed version is the most recently reviewed version
  • Statement is legible and undamaged
  • Process in place to provide copies on request

Parent and Guardian Requests

  • Process in place for providing statement to parents on request
  • Process communicated in parent information or handbook

BOM Minutes and Oversight

  • Annual review noted or approved in BOM minutes
  • Minutes record date, outcome, and any material changes
  • Version or date of reviewed statement referenced in minutes
  • Current DLP name recorded in minutes

What Inspectors and Tusla May Look For

During a Whole School Evaluation or a Tusla inspection of child safeguarding, the following are among the areas that may be examined. This is not an exhaustive list, and the specific focus of any inspection will depend on its scope and the body conducting it.

WSE inspectors may consider:

  • Whether the school has a current Child Safeguarding Statement in place
  • Whether the statement has been reviewed within the required timeframe
  • Whether staff are aware of the statement and know how to make a report to the DLP
  • Whether the BOM can evidence its oversight of the safeguarding review

Tusla inspections under the Tusla Child Protection Inspections programme may examine:

  • The content and currency of the Child Safeguarding Statement
  • Whether it is displayed in a prominent place
  • Whether it has been furnished to all staff
  • Whether the risk assessment is adequate and up to date
  • Whether the BOM has formally recorded its oversight of the review
  • Whether the school's procedures for responding to child protection concerns are clear and understood by staff

The key framing for inspection readiness is not about performance — it is about being able to produce clear, dated evidence that the required steps were taken. A school that completed the review thoroughly but has no records to show for it is in a much more uncertain position than one with tidy documentation. Organising this evidence before an inspection is prompted — rather than during it — is the practical approach.

For further context on inspection readiness, see our guide to inspection readiness for Irish schools.

Common Safeguarding Statement Gaps in Irish Schools

When reviewing safeguarding governance across school settings, the following are among the gaps that most commonly come to light:

  • Review not completed annually. The statement may have been drafted carefully at the outset but not formally reviewed each year. A statement with a two- or three-year-old review date is a possible gap that Tusla or WSE inspectors may note.
  • DLP name not updated. Where the DLP has changed — through staff movement, promotion, or departure — the name on the statement may not have been updated. The Relevant Person named in the statement must be the current post-holder.
  • Statement not displayed. The display requirement is specific and statutory. A statement kept in a policy folder or available only on request does not meet the prominent display requirement.
  • Staff not circulated the reviewed version. Schools sometimes update the statement without re-circulating it to staff. The obligation to furnish the statement to staff applies to each reviewed version, not just the original.
  • BOM minutes do not reference the review. A generic minute noting "safeguarding matters discussed" does not constitute evidence of formal BOM oversight. The minute should reference the review, its date, and its outcome.
  • Risk assessment not updated after a structural change. A school extension, a new sports programme, an increased use of digital tools, or a significant staffing change can all affect the risk profile of the school. Risk assessment reviews should follow any such change, not wait for the annual cycle.
  • No record of staff receipt. Even where the statement has been circulated, the absence of any record — an email trail, a staff meeting record, a signed acknowledgement — can make it difficult to evidence compliance during an inspection.

For a broader view of policy documentation, see our school policy audit checklist for Ireland and school policy review checklist.

FAQs

What is a Child Safeguarding Statement and who needs one?

A Child Safeguarding Statement is a written document required under Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015. It sets out the services a school provides, the procedures it follows to protect children from harm, and the results of the risk assessment conducted to identify potential risks. All providers of relevant services to children in Ireland — including primary and post-primary schools — must have one in place. The requirement has applied since December 2017. Further detail is available in Tusla's guidance on the Child Safeguarding Statement.

How often must the Child Safeguarding Statement be reviewed?

The Child Safeguarding Statement must be reviewed at minimum once every year, in line with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015. It must also be reviewed sooner if there is a material change in the nature of the services provided, the school's activities, its physical environment, or its safeguarding-relevant staffing. The review must be evidenced through BOM minutes and a dated revision to the statement.

Who is the Relevant Person named in the Child Safeguarding Statement?

The Relevant Person is the individual designated to liaise with Tusla and other statutory bodies on child protection and welfare matters. In a school context, this is typically the Designated Liaison Person (DLP). Their name, role, and contact details must be current and accurate in the statement at all times. If the DLP changes, the statement must be updated promptly. A statement that names a person who has since left the school or moved into a different role is a possible gap that should be addressed immediately.

Does the BOM have to approve the Child Safeguarding Statement?

Yes. The Board of Management, as the provider of the relevant service, has oversight responsibility for the Child Safeguarding Statement. This includes responsibility for the annual review. The BOM should formally note or approve the reviewed statement at a board meeting, and the minutes should record this clearly — including the date of the review, any material changes, and the name of the current Relevant Person (DLP). For more on board governance obligations, see our Board of Management compliance checklist for Ireland.

What happens if the Child Safeguarding Statement is not displayed?

The display requirement is a specific statutory obligation under the Children First Act 2015. A school that has a compliant statement but fails to display it in a prominent place is not meeting the full requirements of the Act. During a Tusla inspection or WSE, inspectors may check whether the statement is visible and on display. This is a straightforward gap to close — but it is one that is worth confirming before rather than during an inspection.

Organise Your Safeguarding Review in One Place

Keeping track of policy versions, BOM meeting records, staff circulation logs, and inspection-readiness documentation across multiple files and folders takes time — and gaps can easily develop between annual cycles.

Book a governance readiness demo to see how Edvance helps schools organise policy, board, safeguarding and inspection readiness workflows in one structured platform.

This article is for general information purposes. Principals and boards should refer to current Children First legislation, Tusla guidance, and relevant Department of Education circulars, and take professional advice where needed.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Child Safeguarding Statement and who needs one?

A Child Safeguarding Statement is a written document required under Section 11 of the Children First Act 2015 for providers of relevant services to children, including Irish primary and post-primary schools.

How often must the Child Safeguarding Statement be reviewed?

It must be reviewed at least once every year and sooner where there is a material change in the school's services, activities, environment or safeguarding-relevant staffing.

Who is the Relevant Person named in the Child Safeguarding Statement?

The Relevant Person is the individual designated to liaise with Tusla and other statutory bodies. In schools this is typically the Designated Liaison Person.

Does the BOM have to approve the Child Safeguarding Statement?

Yes. The Board of Management, as provider of the relevant service, has oversight responsibility for the statement and should formally note or approve the reviewed statement in minutes.

What happens if the Child Safeguarding Statement is not displayed?

The display requirement is statutory. A school that holds a statement but does not display it prominently has a possible gap that should be corrected promptly.