Blackrock A.C. takes the safety of every young athlete seriously. In the event that a child goes missing or a lost child is found during training or at a competition, the following protocols must be followed immediately.

1. Procedure: If a Child is Missing

If an athlete cannot be located during a session at Carysfort Park, St Andrew’s, or an away event, follow these steps:

1. Alert Officials: Immediately inform the Lead Coach, Club Officials, and—if at an away event—the Event Director or Safety Officer.
2. Maintain Supervision: Ensure all other children in the group continue to be supervised by a coach while the search begins.
3. Organised Search: Task available responsible adults to search specific assigned areas. Searchers must report back to a central point within a set time (e.g., every 5–10 minutes).
4. Contact Parents: If the child is not found quickly, contact the parents to inform them and provide reassurance that a structured search is underway.
5. Record Details: Prepare a description of the child (clothing, height, hair colour) and note exactly where they were last seen.
6. Contact An Garda Síochána: If the initial search is unsuccessful, call the Gardaí. This must be done no later than 20 minutes after the child was first reported missing.
7. All-Clear: Once the child is located, immediately inform the parents, all searchers, and the Gardaí.

2. Procedure: If a Lost Child is Found

If you find a child who has become separated from their group:

• Report it: Notify the Event Director or Club Safety Officer immediately.
• The Safe Area: * Under 16s: Must stay in a designated “Safe Area” until collected by a parent/guardian or the Gardaí.
• Over 16s: May choose to leave once a “Found Child” form is completed.
• Supervision: The child must be supervised at all times by two Garda-vetted adults. One adult should never escort a child alone.
• Identification: Proof of identity may be requested from the adult collecting the child if the steward deems it necessary.
• Uncollected Children: If a child is not collected by the end of an event, they will be placed under the protection of An Garda Síochána.

3. Key Definitions

• Responsible Adult: Someone over 18 whom the child feels comfortable with and who poses no obvious threat.
• Paramount Concern: At all times, the comfort and wellbeing of the child is the priority. If a child seems unwilling to go with an adult claiming to be their guardian, the Gardaí must be contacted for advice.