Department of Health and Children2015-08-202015-08-201999-09Department of Health. 1999. Children first: summary: National guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. Dublin: Department of Health and Children.http://hdl.handle.net/10147/575357New guidelines, entitled 'Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection And Welfare of Children' were introduced in 1999. These guidelines are intended to assist people in identifying and reporting child abuse and to improve professional practice in both statutory and voluntary agencies and organisations that provide services for children and families. This booklet offers a summarised version of 'Children First'. It is expected that these National Guidelines will be complemented by local guidelines specific to the needs of regional health boards, as well as individual disciplines and organisations. Any such guidance must adopt the basic aims and objectives outlined in this document. These guidelines aim to offer a comprehensive framework to assist professionals and other persons who have contact with children and wish to deal with any concerns they may have in relation to their safety and wellbeing. The guidelines embody the principles contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which was ratified by Ireland in 1992. (It should be noted that the Child Care Act, 1991, provides the legislative basis for dealing with children in need of care and protectionenHEALTH SERVICES AND THEIR MANAGEMENTCHILD CARECHILD WELFARECHILD ABUSEGuideline