Club Child Protection Policy

Responsibilities

Tir Conaill Harps will:

• Promote the health and welfare of children and by providing opportunities for them to take part in Gaelic Sports safely.
• Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children and vulnerable adults.
• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well-being of children and protect them from abuse.
• Recruit, train, support and supervise its members to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to minimise risk to themselves.
• Require members to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy and the Tir Conaill Harps Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Procedures.
•  Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and the Tir Conaill Harps Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
• Review and evaluate this Policy and the Tir Conaill Harps Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Procedures on a regular basis.

Principles

The welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting them from abuse.  Children have a lot to gain from sport.  Their natural sense of fun and spontaneity can blossom in a positive environment created by sports organisations.  It provides an excellent opportunity for them to learn new skills, become more confident and maximise their own unique potential.  This Policy and the Tir Conaill Harps Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Procedures are based on the following principles:

• The welfare of children is the primary concern.
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
• It is everyone's responsibility to report any concerns about abuse and the responsibility of the Social Work Department and the Police to conduct, where appropriate, a joint investigation.
• All incidents of alleged poor practice, misconduct and abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• All personal data will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act
  1998.

Review

This Policy and the Tir Conaill Harps Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Procedures will be regularly monitored and reviewed:

• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or any changes within Tir Conaill Harps.
• Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Tir Conaill Harps.
• In all other circumstances, at least annually.

For more information contact the Club Child Protection Officer.