The paper will explore findings of a research project on child protection policies and practices in Ireland and their contribution to safeguarding separated migrant children. It begins with a discussion on separated migrant children in Ireland, provides some sense of the recent momentum with regard to legislation and policy developments, as well as service responses that seek to meet the challenges posed by this phenomenon. Then it draws on research undertaken with service providers and child care/protection agencies in Ireland that are involved in the identification, care, and support of separated migrant children who are vulnerable to being trafficked. The paper makes links to broader trends in the treatment of separated children across Europe. The EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child (2011) provides an important policy context from which to consider the rights of separated children and appropriate responses in policy and practice.