Every weekday morning, parents drop their children off and trust the system to keep them safe.

But what happens when that trust is misplaced?

Trusted on Paper is an investigative podcast about Ireland’s childcare and child protection systems — from crèches and inspections to emergency placements and public funding. Drawing on documented cases, court findings, and official inquiries, the series reveals how serious failures occurred inside services that were licensed, inspected, and approved.

This is not a story about one bad provider.

It’s about a system under strain — where warning signs were logged, enforcement lagged, and accountability often arrived after harm was already done.