BARNARDOS, the childcare agency, has called for mandatory reporting of suspected cases of abuse and neglect. In a new policy document, the organisation says such reporting would be an "important part of a comprehensive child protection system." The organisation says there has been "little real progress" on the problem since the publication of the discussion paper Putting Children First in l996, and laments the absence of a proposed white paper on the subject. Barnardos says it will "continue to advocate strongly" for the introduction of mandatory reporting.

The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) has just published a booklet, Managing Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse. Offering constructive advice and help, it's a reference source filled with solid, general guidance for those who have a legal "duty of care" towards children. Compiled by psychologists James Connolly and Maire Dooey, who have extensive experience in a variety of educational settings, the booklet is the result of a series of IVEA seminars.