7. Child Safeguarding Statement
Section 1 – National Governing Body /club information
Hockey Ireland provides various sporting activities and opportunities for young people through participation in clubs, regional/provincial events and through our national teams.
Club/Province details:
• Corinthian Hockey Club
• Hockey:
• St. Columba’s College
• 550 members. Volunteer Management/coaches 20+
• Activity: Playing hockey
Section 2 - Principles to safeguard children from harm
Corinthian Hockey Club is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of Hockey Ireland’s Safeguarding Policies, our staff, both volunteers and employed, 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 Corinthian Club written 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 require to alleviate these risks. The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:
| Risk Identified | Procedure in place to manage risk identified |
| Club and Coaching Practices | |
| - Lack of coaching qualification. | - Coach education policy/Recruitment policy. |
| - Supervision issues. | - Supervision policy/Coach education policy |
| - Unauthorised photography & recording activities. | - Photography & Use of Images policy |
| - Behavioural Issues. | - Code of Conduct / Safeguarding 1 / Complaints & Disciplinary policy. |
| - Lack of gender balance amongst coaches | - Coach education policy / Supervision policy. |
| - No guidance for travelling & away trips | - Travel/Away trip policy / Child Safeguarding Training. |
| - Lack of adherence with procedures in Safeguarding policy | - Safeguarding Policy / Complaints & disciplinary policy |
| Complaints & Discipline | |
| - Lack of awareness of a Complaints & Disciplinary policy. | - Complaints & Disciplinary procedure/policy / Communications procedure. |
| - Difficulty in raising an issue by child & or parent | - Complaints & Disciplinary procedure/policy / Communications procedure. |
| - Complaints not being dealt with seriously | - Complaints & Disciplinary procedure/policy. |
| Reporting Procedures | |
| - Lack of knowledge of organisational & statutory reporting procedures | - Reporting procedures/policy / Coach Education policy / Code of Conduct. |
| - No DLP appointed. | - Reporting procedures/policy. |
| - Concerns of abuse or harm not reported. | - Reporting procedures/policy / Child Safeguarding Training – Level 1 |
| - Not clear who young person should talk to or report to. | - Post the names of CCO, DLP |
| Use of Facilities | |
| - Unauthorised access to designated children’s play & practice areas & to changing rooms, showers, toilets etc….. | - Supervision policy / Coach Education. |
| - Unauthorised exit from children’s areas. | - Supervision policy / Coach Education. |
| - Photography, filming or recording in prohibited areas. | - Photography policy and use of devices in private zones. |
| - Missing or found child on site. | - Missing or found child policy. |
| - Children sharing facilities with adults e.g. dressing room, showers etc… | - Safeguarding policy. |
| Recruitment | |
| - Recruitment of inappropriate people. | - Recruitment policy. |
| - Lack of clarity on roles. | - Recruitment policy. |
| - Unqualified or untrained people in role. | - Recruitment policy. |
| Communications | |
| - Lack of awareness of ‘risk of harm’ with members and visitors. | - Child Safeguarding Statement / Training Policy. |
| - No communication of Child Safeguarding Statement of Code of Conduct to members of visitors. | - Child Safeguarding Statement (display) / Code of Conduct (distribute). |
| - Unauthorised photography & recording of activities. | - Photography & Use of Images policy |
| - Inappropriate use of social media & communications by under 18’s | - Communications policy / Code of conduct |
| - Inappropriate use of social media & communications with under 18’s. | - Communications policy / Code of conduct |
| General Risk of Harm | |
| - Harm not being recognised. | - Safeguarding policy / Child Safeguarding Training. |
| - Harm caused by: | - Safeguarding policy / Child Safeguarding Training. |
| Child to Child. | |
| Coach to Child. | |
| Volunteer to Child. | |
| Member to Child. | |
| Visitor to Child. | |
| - General behavioural issues. | - Code of Conduct. |
| - Issues of Bullying. | - Anti-Bullying policy. |
| - Vetting of staff/volunteers. | - Recruitment policy / Vetting policy. |
| - Issues of Online Safety | - Social Media / Online Safety policy. |
The Risk Assessment was undertaken on 4/4/19
Section 4 – Procedures
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (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.
Corinthian Hockey Club 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.
The Mandated Person for Hockey Ireland is the National Children’s Officer.
Section 5 – Implementation
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club/Province 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 staff have been furnished with a copy of this statement.
• This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency and members of the public on request.
• This statement will be displayed in a prominent place by the Club/Province.
This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on 10th April 2024
Signed: Paul Stapleton
Date: 10th February 2021
Name: Paul Stapleton (President)
Phone no: 086 2414602
For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact Linda Stapleton 086 81360545