Child Safeguarding

Code of Conduct for athletes, coaches, parents & officials.
Clane AC is affiliated to Athletics Ireland and is committed to the safeguarding policy of Athletics Ireland and its implementation for the protection of all its members.

Athletics Ireland is committed to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults in athletics. The welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults in our sport is paramount. Our safeguarding policies have been developed as required by national legislation, policy and guidelines as outlined in Children First.

Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liason Person.
​We recognise and respect the invaluable work of our Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liason Persons and the varied and complex Roles and Responsibilities they fulfil. The Club Children’s Officer helps to create a child centred environment that promotes the welfare of children and young people engaged in our sporting activities.
​This guidance will act as a support for the CCO’s/DLP’s helping them meet their child safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.

The role of a Club Children's Officer (CCO)
  • The CCO should be a member of the Club Management Committee.
  • Safe Recruitment and Selection of Coaches and Leaders.
  • Garda Vetting is one of the key elements of the safe recruitment process.
  • The CCO should ensure that Coaches, Leaders and Parents are vetted in line with AAI Garda Vetting Policy prior to taking on their role within the club.
  • Liase with Athletics Ireland and/or local sports partnership to secure Child Safeguarding Training for coaches/committee members within the first 6 months of taking up a new role.
  • CCO should monitor the 4 year refresh of Garda Vetting and SG1.
  • Understand the Athletics Ireland Code of Ethics & Child Safeguarding Guidance.
  • The CCO should be knowledgeable about child protection and undertake any training considered necessary i.e. Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1 and 2 courses.
  • Encouraging the participation of parents /guardians within club activities to ensure maximum enjoyment and participation for each child.
  • Acts as a support to Coaches and Sports Leaders on Child Protection issues/concerns.
  • Be a presence at juvenile training sessions.
  • Ensure that children know how and whom they can report their concerns to within the club.
  • If there are grounds for concern about the safety or welfare of a young person you should react to the concern.
  • Act as the Relevant Person with responsibility for the club Child Safeguarding Statement.
The role of a Designated Liason Person (DLP)
​
This role sits with the Club Chairperson unless another committee member has been appointed.

​The DLP is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse and welfare issues to Tusla or the Gardai (Statutory Authorities). They will work with the Club Children’s Officer to act as a resource for children at committee level.
  • DLP reports any suspected cases of child neglect or abuse to a Duty Social Worker in the Tusla Child and Family Agency or An Garda Síochána.
  • They should also inform the National Children’s Officer / Mandated Person that a report has been submitted to the Statutory Authorities.
  • Act as a resource for volunteers/coaches/parents who have a child protection or welfare concern.
  • The DLP should be knowledgeable about child protection and undertake any training considered necessary i.e. Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1 and 3 courses.
  • The DLP should have knowledge of the Safeguarding Guidance and relevant child protection legislation (Children First Act 2015, National Vetting Bureau Act 2012-2016) and be familiar with local support services.
  • In consultation with the person who raised the concern and the Club Children’s Officer, the DLP will decide if reasonable grounds for a concern exist. 

Clane Athletic Clubs commitment

Clane Athletic Club is fully committed to ensuring that young people are safeguarded in their participation in athletics in Ireland in accordance with Athletics Ireland best practice. Early experiences of young athletes in our sport need to be positive and enjoyable, irrespective of their ability, gender, social or ethnic background.

The purpose of the links and documents listed on this page is to provide easy access to essential information on Child Welfare and to give clubs an opportunity to follow best practice in this area. The documents aim to outline the fundamental principles and policies, and address issues relating to the roles and responsibilities of people involved in coaching and supervision of children in athletics.
​
Code of ethics
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/other/Athletics_Ireland_Code_of_Conduct_for_Children.pdf

Athletes Code  
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/juvenile/child-welfare/athletes/

Coaches and Officials Code  
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/juvenile/child-welfare/coaches-and-officials/
​
Parents Code 
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/juvenile/child-welfare/adults-carers/

Clane AC codes of conduct & club policies

clane_ac_child_protection_policy_statement.pdf
File Size: 155 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_coaches_code_of_conduct_declaration.pdf
File Size: 81 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_anti_bulling_policy.pdf
File Size: 124 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_code_of_conduct_for_parents_guardians.pdf
File Size: 83 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_juvenile_all_weather_policy.pdf
File Size: 93 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_code_of_conduct_for_juvenile_athletes.pdf
File Size: 67 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_mobile_phone_policy.pdf
File Size: 91 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_transport_policy_and_permision_slip.pdf
File Size: 97 kb
File Type: pdf
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clane_ac_social_media_policy.pdf
File Size: 134 kb
File Type: pdf
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Clane AC request that you do not leave your engine running while waiting beside the track. Think green, keep the air clean!

Garda Vetting Form
​(Valid for 3 years only)

Clane AC officials & coaches must apply again for Garda vetting every 3 years.

www.athleticsireland.ie/juvenile/child-welfare/garda-vetting-policy

Safeguarding Refresher Course 

Child Safe guarding certification is valid for 3 years only.

Clane AC Club coaches & officials that have completed a formal Child Welfare Protection Course either in person or via the  formal 3 hour online "Zoom" course, and have proof of their signed and dated "Certificate of Attendance" within 3 years are eligible to do a quick online refresher course.
 
This renewed refresher course certificate must accompany the original dated "Certificate of Attendance" document, or it is not valid.

Please follow the following Link:
​able.ineqe.com/apps/sportireland/coaches/introduction.php
Each club must complete and display their Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment for Athletics Clubs for mandatory compliance with the Children First Act 2015.

​Athletics Ireland provide the CCO/DLP with supporting documentation and instructions.

Athletics Ireland Child Safeguarding Team

The Athletics Ireland Child Safeguarding Team are available to liase with Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liason Person to help and support them. We are committed to ensuring the  implementation of safeguarding requirements and can offer guidance where required on all our policies & procedures.

Athletics Ireland Child Safeguarding contacts:​
Kieron Stout - National Children's Officer & HR Manager              Phone: 01-8869932 / 086 2450134
Email: 
[email protected] / [email protected]

Olivia O'Rourke – Child Safeguarding & Garda Vetting Liason Officer
Email:
​[email protected]

If you have any concerns regarding the welfare or safety of a child in your club or community please contact the Statutory Authorities (TUSLA, Child & Family Agency www.tusla.ie 
or your local Gardai 1800 666 111 to report your concerns.

Our clubs Child Welfare Officers
for 2025 are:
​John Finn & Morag Munro Corcoran
​
Our clubs Designated Liaison Person is:
John Finn 087 9812732