Child Safeguarding Statement

Blackrock Athletic Club, Blackrock, Co Dublin is affiliated to Athletics Ireland and provides various sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs, regional/provincial events and through to our national teams. Organised events involved the provision of athletic championships and games that involve in some instances require attendance at weekend events and overnight trips for clubs and their members. Athletics Ireland is a voluntary led organisation that provides its members with opportunities to participate in the sport of Track and Field Athletics across all age grades from Juvenile (u9 to u16), Youth (u18), Junior (u20), Senior (u35) and Master (35+).

Blackrock Athletic Club 

• Sport: Track and Field Athletics, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking.
• Location: Blackrock, Co. Dublin
• The number of members in the Club as at 22/04/2022 is 406  Juvenile and 213 Adult members
• Activities: Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking 

Section 2 – Principles to safeguard children from harm

Athletics Ireland is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies our volunteers working with our young people, throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop within sport. The following set of principles should be adhered to:

• Importance of childhood – The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in sport.
• Needs of the child – All children’s sport experiences should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.
• Integrity in relationships – Adults interacting with children in sport are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.
• Fair Play – All children’s sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.
• Quality atmosphere & ethos – Children’s sport should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.
• Competition – Competition is an essential element of sport and should be encouraged in an age appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.
• Equality – All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion.

 

Section 3 – Risk Assessment

This Blackrock Athletic Club Child Welfare Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents required to alleviate these risks.  The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:

 

Club and Coaching Practices

Complaints and Discipline

Reporting Procedures

Recruitment

Communications

General risk of harm

Section 4 – Procedures

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice). In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

Athletics Ireland has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:

• Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities.
• Procedures for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities.
• Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.
• Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities.
• Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.
• Procedure for appointing a relevant person (Club Children’s Officer).

Please note that all procedures listed are available on request.

Kieron Stout is the relevant person for Athletics Ireland, and he is also a mandated person as set out in the Children First Act 2015. Kieron can be contacted on 086 2450134.

Following the carrying out of a club specific Child Welfare Risk Assessment, Blackrock Athletic Club has adopted the principals, code of ethics, policies and procedures of Athletics Ireland and acknowledges Athletics Ireland leadership and guidance for policy, procedures, and practice within the club.

 

In accordance with the Athletics Ireland Child Welfare Plan Blackrock Athletic Club has the following list of Policies, Procedures and Codes of Conduct.

• Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Ethics
• Child Welfare Risk Assessment
• Child Safeguarding Statement
• Code of Conduct – Officials, Coaches and Volunteers
• Code of Conduct – Children and Young Athletes
• Juveniles General Club Rules
• Code of Conduct – Parents and Guardians
• Volunteer Recruitment Policy
• Reporting Policy and Procedures
• Child Welfare Officer – Roles and Responsibility
• Designated Liaison Person – Roles, Responsibility and Procedures
• Anti – Bullying Policy
• Film and Photography Policy and Guidelines
• Communications and Social Media Online Safety Policy
• Inclusion and Admission Policy
• Child Supervision Policy
• Data Privacy Statement

The purpose of creating and adhering to the Codes of Conduct, Policies and Procedures is to facilitate and encourage best practice in athletics and a safe environment in our club for all members and volunteers.

We expect all Members, Coaches, Volunteers and Parents to read and comply with the club Policies, Procedures and Codes of Conduct.

All members confirm that they know and understand these Policies, Procedures and Codes of Conduct annually when they renew their membership.  We rely on parents to ensure that all children and young athletes are made aware of the club rules and policies.

 

Section 5 – Implementation

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities.

Please note the following:

• That all volunteers have been furnished with a copy of this statement.
• This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency & members of the public on request.
• This statement and Club Child Welfare Policies will be displayed on the Notice Board in the Clubhouse and on the Club website

The Athletics Ireland Child Safeguarding Plan including all policies and procedures is available on request or at the following webpage for download. https://www.athleticsireland.ie/juvenile/child-welfare

You can also email childwelfare@athleticsireland.ie if you would like any information sent to you.

This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed 21 April 2024

 

Signed: Janice Kelly                                                             Date:  22 April 2022

(By the Club Child Welfare Officer (Relevant Person) On behalf the Club)

 

Name: Janice Kelly                                    Phone no:  087 2336363

 

For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact the CWO