Safeguarding Children in Ireland

Child protection and welfare has achieved an unprecedented position on the public agenda over the past decade, and the services set up to deal with it have been put under particular scrutiny. Policy development and new legislation have combined to bring about a more comprehensive, better resourced and more supported framework for child care practices. Yet, it needs to be acknowledged child protection is an uncertain and difficult area of work, which depends on a number of variables, not least of which is a sound knowledge base.