CDYSB is committed to the provision of quality youth services in a manner that ensures the safety and welfare of young people. To facilitate this we provide a range of supports and training to youth workers around this very important and sensitive topic.

Policy and Procedures
Each organisation and group is required to have their own policy and procedures around child protection. CDYSB can provide an information leaflet that gives simple guidelines which will inform any group wishing to develop their own policy. In addition, groups may obtain copies of the document 'Code of Good Practice, Child Protection for the Youth Work Sector and Children First' from the NYCI Child Protection Unit website.

Child Protection Training
It is important that each youth worker, whether paid or voluntary, take part in training on child protection.
CDYSB offers courses of varying duration ranging from a basic introductory course over one or two sessions to a much more in-depth course over five sessions. Courses are tailored to suit the needs and concerns of each group.

The key elements in any course include

• What is Child Abuse?
• Recognising Child Abuse.
• What to do if concerned about a child
• Dealing with disclosure.
• Reporting to the appropriate authorities
• Guide-lines on good practice for youth workers.
• Developing your own guide-lines
• Guide-lines for selection of workers

Training for Trainers in Child Protection
CDYSB has in conjunction with other youth work organisations delivered training for youth workers wishing to acquire the skills necessary to deliver basic child protection training at local level. It continues to work in partnership with other youth work organisations and the National Child Protection Unit in the development of training in this important area.

Child Protection Officer (CPO)
CDYSB has a designated CPO on its staff who is available to advise and support any youth worker, group or project working with young people who have a child protection concern be it around policy, procedures or a specific issue. Priority will always be given to those groups registered with CDYSB.
The CPO will discuss any concern and where possible advise on a specific course of action. When necessary, the CPO will assist a youth worker to make a formal report to and contact with the relevant authority: Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána. the CPO can also help in identifying whether personal supports, including counselling, may be required and how these might be accessed.

While the CPO will handle all information received in a sensitive and confidential manner s/he cannot keep confidential information about child abuse if others who have this information are not willing to report it.