Code of Good Practice Child Protection for the Youth Work Sector

The Code of Good Practice was published in September 2002 with a second edition following in May 2003. The publication in 1999 of Children First, National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children charged each and every organisation, whether statutory or voluntary, providing services to children, to produce a child protection policy tailored to their specific needs.

The Code of Good Practice was prepared by the Youth Affairs Section of the Department of Education and Science, in consultation with partners in the Youth Work Sector and the National Youth Work Advisory Committee.

The Code was prepared with the youth work sector specifically in mind. It aims to assist and give direction and guidance to youth workers and youth work organisations/groups in protecting the children and young people under their care and in dealing with allegations or suspicions of child abuse.

Copies of the Code are available at the Government Sales Office at a cost of €2.50. (Contact details below). Copies can also be downloaded from the Department of Education website at www.education.ie (HTML and PDF format)

Government Publications Sales Office.
Sun Alliance House
Molesworth  Street
Dublin 2
Ph:  01 679 3515
Mail Order: 01 647 6000

For more information on the Code contact:

Niamh Mc Keon
Youth Affairs Section
Department of Education and Science
Floor 2, Block 2
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Ph:  01 8892102
Fax:  01 889 6536
Email: niamh_mckeon@education.gov.ie

Code of Good Practice (HTML Version)

Code of Good Practice (PDF Version 1.67MB)