Child guidelines must have legal force

FOCUS Ireland welcomes the recent publication of the report of the Children’s Ombudsman into the implementation of Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

As one of Ireland’s leading housing and homeless charities we work directly with vulnerable young people who are out-of-home or at risk.

As a result we share many of the concerns raised in the report. Focus Ireland strongly believes that the Children First guidelines should be placed on a statutory footing to ensure they have the maximum legal weight.