Child Protection Update
Dear Club/Committee Chair,
The Children First Act, which was signed into law in December 2015, has a number of implications for Canoeing Ireland Clubs and Committees. The most significant of these is the requirement for organisations to conduct a risk assessment and generate a Child Safeguarding Statement.
Details of how to proceed in this matter are attached along with templates to assist you with compliance. Please note that the date of compliance is March 11th 2018. Don’t forget to confirm compliance on the google form.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email info@canoe.ie.
Generic Risk Assessment template
Letter to Clubs re Children First 2015 compliance
Safeguarding Guidance for Children & Young People:
https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/code-of-ethics-manual
Safe Sport App:
https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/code-of-ethics-manual
Safeguarding 1 On-Line Refresher:
http://elearning.sportireland.ie/login/index.php
Staying Safe On-Line:
https://elearning.sportireland.ie/login/index.php
Sport Ireland Website:
https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/code-of-ethics-manual
Local Sports Partnership Network:
https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics
Children First Guidance 2015:
https://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/20171002ChildrenFirst2017.pdf
Child Protection Policy
Click here for Canoeing Ireland’s Child Protection Policy
Safeguarding 1
All Coaches, Club Children’s Officers (CCO) and Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course now called Safeguarding1. This course educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.
Safeguarding 2 Club Children’s Officer
A person appointed to the Club Children’s Officer position in a club must have completed safeguarding 1 (Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness workshop) and should complete the NEW Club Children’s Officer 3 hour workshop. This course will help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out the function of their role in the club and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer Action Planning document as part of the training. Club Children’s Officers
Club Children’s Officers should be child centred in focus and have as the primary aim the establishment of a child centred ethos within the club. S/he is the link between the children and the adults in the club. S/he also takes responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders
Safeguarding 3 Designated Liaison Person
A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in an organisation must have completed the Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course and should complete the NEW Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop.
The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TULSA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochana/ PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior Organisation person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the National Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisation’s child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role.