5C21524 Children’s Rights Legislation and Regulation Assignment Brief 2026 | City of Dublin FET College

5C21524 Assignment Brief 

Learning Outcomes 

This assignment will provide evidence of  MIMLO’s 

3: Examine current national regulations, frameworks and guidelines to inform planning, implementation and review of experiences that promote children’s holistic development and learning.

4:Identify practices and procedures in line with legislation, regulation and policy to ensure appropriate safety abd care of all stakeholders for ELC settings

5:Examine current child protection legislation, guidelines and responsibilities of all staff in ELC settings 

Evidence Required

Instructions

Early years settings as ‘a relevant service’ have child safeguarding responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015 which are further explained in Children First, National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017.

Having completed the Children First eLearning Programme, you are required to address child protection concerns presented in the attached scenario. In particular, the learner will address the following elements:

1. Outline of the legislation and guidelines related to Child Protection in ELC settings to include:

   o Summary of the legislation and guidelines (2 marks)
   o What is abuse, how to recognise it and report it (4 marks)
   o Statutory obligations of a relevant service (2 marks)
   o Role of Tusla and An Garda Síochána in child protection (2 marks)

2. Summarise the different type/s (5 marks), signs and symptoms (5 marks) of child abuse presented in the case study
3. Explain the term ‘Mandated Person’ (2 marks) and their legal obligations as outlined under the Children First 2015 (3 marks)
4. Procedures to follow in an ELC setting when abuse is suspected (2 marks) and completion of the Tusla Child Protection and Welfare Report Form (3 marks)

You will also provide proof of completion of the Tusla, Children First eLearning Programme.

Work can be presented in different ways: Video, Presentation, Podcast, Written essay (8-12minutes)

Word count: 1200/1500 words

Referencing: Harvard Referencing system

***Please see Guidelines below for suggestive layout***

Case Study

Child profile

Scenario ‘Emily’

Robby and Martina have been together for the past seven years and have 2 children Sam aged 6 and Emily aged 4 years.  Martina met Robby when she was a student in Dublin, having given birth to Sam, she dropped out of college.  Robby worked in the construction industry for the past number of years but due to the economic downturn, has been unemployed for the past year.  Robby and Martina moved to Donegal in the last year to be closer to Martina’s family.

Sam is going to the local primary school in Donegal Town. Emily is enrolled in Care bear Creche in Donegal Town and attends the morning sessions from 8am – 1pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.    Emily has missed several days on the scheme, in general keeps to herself and does not interact frequently with the other children. She often comes in with dirty hands and holes in her clothes. During the cold weather Martina arrived at the playschool with Emily who had no coat. When Martina was asked about the coat, she said she had ‘forgotten it’.  Emily continued to arrive without a coat.  On occasion, Emily appears to be hungry and has asked for food upon arrival at the playschool.

Wednesday of last week, Martina did not arrive to collect Emily, staff become concerned when they could not contact her by phone.  The supervisor (Sarah King) then decided to contact Martina’s mum who was recorded as the emergency contact on Emily’s personal file.  Martina’s mum arrived and collected Emily.  Emily did not arrive back to playschool for a few days.

When Martina returned with Emily, she did not make eye contact with the staff member and left without saying ‘goodbye’ to Emily.  Emily was withdrawn that day, refusing to speak or take any refreshments.  Josh, another child in Emily’s group became upset when Emily refused to play with him.

Robby came to collect Emily that day, the supervisor mentioned to him that Emily was withdrawn and refused refreshments.  He shrugged his shoulders and didn’t make any comment.  Emily did not attend for the remainder of the week.

As the ELC practitioner you are concerned.

Background Information

Sam, Emily’s older brother is currently under-going assessment for ASD. Martina has started working at night and Robby is looking after the 2 children in the evenings until morning until they go to school/pre-school.