St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network has statutory obligations under the Children First Act 2015 to ensure the safety and welfare of children, primarily by implementing child safeguarding policies, requiring mandatory reporting for staff (mandated persons), and facilitating staff training. All SLRON staff are required to be aware of risks to children and report any concerns to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Some of the obligations of the Children First Act for services such as SLRON include:
- Mandatory Training: requires all staff, volunteers, and students to complete ‘An Introduction to Children First’ eLearning to recognise and report child abuse.
- Child Safeguarding Statements: Organisations within the HSE must create and maintain Child Safeguarding Statements and risk assessments, outlining policies and procedures to prevent harm to children in their services. SLRON’s Safeguarding statements are on display in each of our 3 locations.
- Mandated Persons: Certain professionals within the HSE are legally mandated to report child protection concerns to Tusla. These Mandated staff must report suspected child abuse, neglect, or harm to Tusla.
- Governance and Compliance: The HSE Children First National Office leads compliance and ensures that child protection policies are implemented, including vetting staff who work with children.
- SLRON staff are required to be familiar with the HSE’s ‘Child Protection and Welfare Policy’ (2026).
- The ‘Relevant Person’ is a legally designated individual who acts as a primary contact for Child Safeguarding. The Relevant personfor SLRON is Bernadette Donnellan, Principal Social Worker.