Hello, welcome to Ask Robyn,

Firstly, thank you for reaching out and asking this very important question. We understand that it can feel daunting to ask for help when you’re worried about a child, but you’ve made the right decision in seeking guidance.

We know that reporting concerns can be difficult. However, as adults, we have a responsibility to protect children and to report any concerns we may have about their safety or well-being.

Here is some guidance on how you can report a concern for a child living in Carlow:

Contact Túsla

If you have reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected, you should contact Túsla, the Child and Family Agency.

You can report your concern:

• In person

• By telephone

• In writing to the local social work duty service in the area where the child lives

You can find contact details for Túsla social work teams by visiting tusla.ie.

Carlow is part of the Túsla Area that includes Carlow, Kilkenny, and South Tipperary. The duty social work office covering Carlow is located in Tipperary. You can find the contact details for this office at the following link:

tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/contact-a-social-worker/carlow-duty-social-work-team/

It’s important to know that you don’t need to prove that abuse has occurred—only that you have reasonable grounds for concern. Túsla will assess the information provided, along with any other available information, and if a sufficient level of risk is identified, they will carry out a child protection assessment.

If you are unsure whether your concern meets the threshold for a formal report, you can contact Túsla to discuss the situation informally. They can guide you on the appropriate next steps or suggest alternative supports for the child and their family.

Contact the Gardaí outside of Túsla’s office hours

If you are concerned for a child’s immediate safety or welfare outside of Túsla’s working hours, you should contact An Garda Síochána. You can ask them to carry out a welfare check on the child.

Here is a link to contact details for the Carlow Garda Station:

garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/carlow.html

Useful links

• Túsla: How to report a concern

• Carlow Duty Social Work Team

• Garda Station Directory – Carlow

Need more support?

If you need further support or are unsure about what to do, you can contact our Parent Support Line. We’re here to talk through any concerns you have about a child’s well-being. Our lines are open from 9 am to 1 pm at 01 522 4300, and we can offer guidance while keeping your identity confidential.

Thank you again for reaching out,

Robyn