The Irish Sports Council has recently changed the structure of Child Welfare & Protection (Code of Ethics) Training Programme for Clubs. The details of the three stages of training are outlined here as follows:
1. Safeguarding 1 – Basic Awareness Workshop in Child Welfare & Protection – a must for anyone working with children!
All Coaches, Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course. This course educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.
The old six hour Children’s Officer Training Course has been replaced by two separate three hour courses.
2. Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer (CCO) Workshop – a must for all Club Children’s Officers
A Club Children’s Officer should be child centered in focus and have as the primary aim the establishment of a child centered ethos within the club. S/he is the link between the children and the adults in the club. S/he also takes responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders
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.
3. Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Workshop
The third part of the ISC Child Welfare & Protection Training Programme is the Designated Liaison Person workshop. This workshop is currently under review and will be available to clubs in the Spring /Summer of 2015.
Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. 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.
A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must have completed the Basic Awareness Workshop in Child Welfare & Protection and should complete the NEW Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate role
Furthermore please be advised that of the upcoming Child Protection and Welfare Training being offered by HSI:
Code of Ethics Basic Awareness Training
Date: Wednesday March 18th 2015
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Horse Sport Ireland Head Office, Naas, Co. Kildare.
Cost: €20 per person
Children’s Officer Training
Date: Wednesday March 25th 2015
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Horse Sport Ireland Head Office, Naas, Co. Kildare.
Cost: €25 per person
Information on upcoming courses is updated on the Horse Sport Ireland website regularly which can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.horsesportireland.ie/governance/child-protection-courses/
Application forms for the above two courses are available for download at the above link.