SAFEGUARDING CHILD WELFARE & PROTECTION

The Safeguarding programme targets sports leaders and adults involved in the organisation of sport for young people to promote child welfare and protection policies and procedures. The full programme consists of three stages:

Safeguarding 1 - Code of Ethics Child Protection Workshop (3 hrs)

This workshop is for the benefit of everyone involved in children's sport (children, parents/guardians, sports leaders', etc.).

It provides introductory information on codes of conduct, bullying, recruitment, etc. as well as child protection guidelines. By following the principles, policy and practical guidelines contained in the Code, sports leaders are playing their part in providing a safe and enjoyable environment in which children can learn and thrive.

We are running Online Safeguarding 1 Training Courses this Winter. The courses will be run on ‘Zoom’ an interactive video conferencing platform.

Participants will need a tablet/laptop & a good internet connection. Each person attending the course will need to using their own independent device. The ‘Zoom’ access link for the course and relevant course materials will be emailed to participants in advance in word and PDF formats. To gain accreditation, participants must complete the full course.

Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer Workshop (3 hrs)

A person appointed to the Club Children’s Officer position in a club must have completed the Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness workshop and should complete the NEW Club Children’s Officer 3 hour Training Course.

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.

We are running Online Safeguarding 2 Children's Officer Training Courses on ‘Zoom’ an interactive video conferencing platform.

Participants will need a tablet/laptop & a good internet connection. Each person attending the course will need to using their own independent device. The ‘Zoom’ access link for the course and relevant course materials will be emailed to participants in advance in word and PDF formats. To gain accreditation, participants must complete the full course. 

Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person Workshop (3hrs)

The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TUSLA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochána / PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/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.

Please note:

  • There are limited places available for the workshops and pre booking is essential as it is on a first come first served basis.
  • Each individual must register and pay online to reserve a place on this workshop. A fee of €20 plus a nominal online registration handling charge applies for administrative costs.
  • All participants must be over 18 years of age.
  • Certificates of attendance are issued at the end of the course
  • A number of courses are scheduled during the year and open to all to book.  If you would like to discuss organising a course on a specific date for a specific group please contact the LSP office and we will accommodate where possible.

Safeguarding 1 Online Refresher Training (launched March 2017)

This is a web based education resource aimed at providing further training to those who have previously attended a Safeguarding workshop or equivalent.

The content contains four modules which will provide persons in roles with regular responsibility for children an opportunity to learn about: best practice procedure; understanding of why safeguarding children and young people in sport is important; recognising the different categories of child abuse and identify the signs of abuse; and the responding, recording and reporting issues of poor practice or abuse.

The refresher course content was developed by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland in collaboration with welfare officers from a number of National Governing Bodies for Sport. The web resource was designed in collaboration with Ineqe Group, who specialise in safeguarding and child protection, both in the offline world and in the digital world. To undertake the online Refresher training clink on the following link below. Following completion of the online training you will be issued with a digital cert. Please note this digital cert is only valid in conjunction with your original Safeguarding 1 certificate.

Safeguarding 1 Refresher