Child Safeguarding Statement: 2020
Gymnastics Ireland provides sporting activities and opportunities for young people though participation in clubs, national events and our national teams. We are committed to safeguarding children in our Club under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies. All our volunteers and staff working with our young people, throughout our Club, seek to create a safe environment for young people to participate in our activities.
Principles to safeguard children from harm
This statement recognises that in accordance with legislation and with the requirements of our Policies that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that all children have a positive, developmental and enjoyable experience of Gymnastics and when participating in our activities that they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Risk Assessment
Our Club has completed an assessment of the potential for harm to children when they are participating in and attending our activities under the following headings: Club and Coaching Practices; Complaints & Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications/Social Media and a further heading of General Risk of Harm. Below is a list of areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.
| RISK IDENTIFIED | PROCEDURE/POLICY IN PLACE |
|---|---|
| Risk of harm including assault, ill treatment or neglect of a child in a manner that seriously affects or is likely to seriously affect the child’s health, development or welfare or sexual abuse of a child. | Child Safeguarding Policy Recruitment Policy Child Safeguarding Training Policy Vetting Policy |
| Risk of harm of abuse when hosting an activity and or an away trip | Child Safeguarding Policy – Hosting, Away Trips, Transport & Codes of Conduct |
| Risk of harm of online abuse through social media | GI Social Media Policy |
| Bullying of a child | Anti-Bullying Policy & Training |
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the legislature requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015, Children’s First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), the Children (NI) Order 1995, Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice 1995
The procedures contained in our risk assessment support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our services. We have the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Code and Policies:
- Procedure in respect to the management of allegations of abuse against any member, non-member or staff or volunteer of a child availing of our services.
- Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers with regard to their suitability to work with children
- Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information including the identification of the occurrence of harm
- Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Gymnastics Ireland, Tusla (ROI) and or Gateway Team (NI)
- Procedure for appointing a relevant person – the Club Children’s Officer shall be the relevant person, first point of contact in respect of this statement
- Procedure in place for the appointment of Designated Liaison Person and Children’s Officer in our Club
The Gymnastics Ireland Mandated Person, who has a legal obligation to report harm of children as per Children First Act 2015 is Dermot Howlin (Policy, Welfare & Compliance Manager), email dermot@gymnasticsireland.com or phone 01/6251125
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015. Our Club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement.